AFFLICTION – Nick Nolte – d: Paul Schrader
Affliction (1998)
Direction: Paul Schrader
Screenplay: Paul Schrader, from Russell Banks’ novel
Cast: Nick Nolte, Sissy Spacek, James Coburn, Willem Dafoe, Mary Beth Hurt, Jim True, Marian Seldes
Set in a snowy New England town, Affliction could have been an excellent study of a dysfunctional family’s cycle of violence at a time of rapid socioeconomic changes. Unfortunately, Paul Schrader’s film doesn’t quite reach those heights. Based on a novel by Russell Banks (who also penned the equally snowy The Sweet Hereafter), Schrader’s film adaptation relies on a realistic wintry atmosphere (courtesy of cinematographer Paul Sarossy) to convey the deadness inside the heart of the story’s protagonist, the angst-ridden, small-town sheriff Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte). The middle-aged Wade is intent on not ending up like his abusive, alcoholic father, Glen (James Coburn), while inexorably sliding down that very path.
Making matters more complicated, Wade must come to terms with the fact that his ex-wife, Lillian (Mary Beth Hurt), will never return to him, and that his erratic behavior has alienated his daughter. Only his neglected girlfriend, Margie (Sissy Spacek), is capable of seeing through his neurotic, tough-guy crust. Yet, despite her efforts, even Margie can’t prevent Wade from drowning his angst in booze or from misdirecting it toward those around him.
If that weren’t enough, Wade starts suffering from a horrendous toothache, his mother suddenly dies, and he develops an obsession with the death of an out-of-town businessman during a hunting trip. He is certain that the man was murdered by a fellow police officer, Jack (Jim True), and that there is a vast big-business conspiracy to turn the sleepy town into a luxurious winter resort.
Wade’s brother, Rolfe (Willem Dafoe), is the first one to believe his conspiracy theory. Inevitably, tragedy ensues.
Although Schrader has set the right tone for his film, he has failed to find the right patches to cover the major plot holes that abound in his screenplay (and possibly in Banks’ novel, which I haven’t read). In one crucial scene, for instance, Rolfe inexplicably agrees with Wade’s flimsy conspiracy theory, the consequences of which are catastrophic both for the film’s characters and for its credibility.
Nick Nolte is another problem. As in The Prince of Tides, he delivers an overripe performance that is supposed to underline Wade’s mental instability but that has the exact opposite effect. Instead of making us focus on the character, Nolte keeps reminding us that we are watching a dedicated actor doing his best to tackle a difficult role.
On the positive side, in addition to the excellent production values and Michael Brook’s haunting music, Affliction boasts several supporting players in top form, especially Mary Beth Hurt, as Wade’s unbending ex-wife; Sissy Spacek, in a smallish role as the neurotic hero’s long-suffering girlfriend; and the Oscar-winning veteran James Coburn, as the abusive father who has scarred his older son for life. (Coburn reportedly stated that he based his violent character on director Sam Peckinpah, with whom he worked in three films).
When Coburn barks at Nolte, "Don’t you sass me," he isn’t kidding. This reviewer only wishes he had said the same to Willem Dafoe, who sasses the voice-over narration, leaving a sour taste at the final — and absurd — fadeout.
Academy Award Win
Best Supporting Actor: James Coburn
Academy Award Nomination
Best Actor: Nick Nolte
Subscribe / Syndicate
Leave a Comment
Tags: Affliction, Film Reviews, James Coburn, Mary Beth Hurt, Nick Nolte, Oscar 1998, Oscar Movies, Paul Schrader, Russell Banks, Sissy Spacek, Willem Dafoe
Comments
Leave a Reply
NOTE:
All comments are moderated and may take some time before they are posted. Different views and opinions are welcome, but courtesy is imperative. Rude/crass/bigoted comments and name-calling of any sort will be immediately deleted.
Also, please be aware that the Alternative Film Guide has no contact information for the talent mentioned in this blog and no information pertaining to or access to distributors'/producers' film prints.
