Affliction (1997)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Aditya G

  
  Domestic violence is disturbing, indeed! Especially when the head of the family, like a husband or a father turns out to be an abusive alcoholic who flies off the handle every once in a while and turns violent at the slightest of provocation! It is unimaginable what impact that might… More
  Domestic violence is disturbing, indeed! Especially when the head of the family, like a husband or a father turns out to be an abusive alcoholic who flies off the handle every once in a while and turns violent at the slightest of provocation! It is unimaginable what impact that might have on young minds, children of the person in question...how do the people at the receiving end of this affliction turn out? Screenwriter/Director Paul Schrader's surprisingly less known 1997 film "Affliction" touches upon a situation like this and chronicles the happenings in the life of one such "victim" as a seemingly unrelated incident in the small town he resides in ultimately results in a personal crisis of sorts for him. Rolfe Whitehouse's (Willem Dafoe) voiceover narration chronicles the events (from his own perspective) leading up to the disappearance of his older brother Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte). Wade is a police officer and part time security in-charge in a quiet little town. However, he seems to have troubles of his own..he is preparing to fight for the custody of his daughter Jill who's currently with his ex-wife. He is also haunted by the memories of his traumatic childhood in the shadow of his abusive, perpetually drunk father Glen (James Coburn). He also feels for his mother who has had to suffer for years living with a man like that. His younger brother, Rolfe, on the other hand has managed to escape that world and move out, become a successful teacher in Boston University and live a good life. [img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IChCs0vhDP8/TjmMxj-MegI/AAAAAAAAB80/zxv6Yx_qgtw/vlcsnap-2011-08-03-23h26m04s105.jpg[/img] Life seems to be decent enough for Wade, with his good friend and newfound romantic interest, Margie Fogg (Sissy Spacek) who works at a local diner. Unbeknownst to him, though, some of his father's violent streak seems to have rubbed off on Wade...which doesn't manifest until much later after a hunting accident. Wade suspects that the hunting "accident" which took the life of a rich man by the name of Twombley, is actually murder, with some of his friends and colleagues involved in it. The incident is quickly followed by Wade's mother's demise which puts his father's responsibility on him, adding to his woes, as Glen seems to show no signs of improvement with age, and makes life difficult for him as well as Margie. Wade finds himself struggling to stay afloat, trying to keep his job, stay in the good books of his daughter Jill, retain Margie's affection, and somehow keep his father at bay.....but how much can one handle?! [img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4LcS2keSzXA/TjmMxMwLlMI/AAAAAAAAB84/MF8C5dhYKdY/vlcsnap-2011-08-03-23h17m43s2.jpg[/img] "Affliction" is, on one hand, a murder mystery and on the other, a profound character sketch detailing the difficult Glen Whitehouse and his son Wade who seems to be coming dangerously close to treading his father's ugly footsteps. The driving force of "Affliction" is some deftly crafted moments that manage to disturb you as you are left with no choice but to try and fathom how men could resort to such terrible behavior and what makes them so difficult to handle. None of the episodes come across as forced or unrealistic, at that, as these are the traits of real people. One can't deny the existence of such traits in individuals belonging to perfectly normal families. Why does Glen drink so much? How does Glen feel absolutely no remorse after hitting women and children and relentlessly spewing abuses? And what makes the ones at the receiving end so tolerant? There are some highly intense moments in this bleak picture that make for some great drama, like the brawl during Wade's mom's funeral or Wade's outburst when he suspects his friends/colleagues being involved in the "accident" of Twombley. The intensity clubbed with some powerhouse performances make for a great viewing. [img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nl1LOR0-qOg/TjmMxjjXC-I/AAAAAAAAB8w/-Z7SfdDH-Oc/vlcsnap-2011-08-03-23h28m35s42.jpg[/img] While James Coburn bagged the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his remarkable act as the grumpy old irritable father, Nick Nolte emerges a clear winner with his Oscar nominated, volatile performance as Wade, who is doing his best in his attempts at not being like his father and trying hold together his life that is steadily unraveling. It is a performance to watch out for, although one can't deny that there were times when he seemed to be a tad Jack Nicholson-ish in his acting! That in no way takes any credibility out though, as your heart goes out to the hapless Wade, who's clearly a victim of circumstance! Others like Willem Dafoe, Holmes Osborne and Sissy Spacek appear very briefly. Dafoe's voice appears more than his physical presence itself, which is a pity, but maybe the screenplay demanded Nolte's character's presence much more than anyone else's! Paul Schrader, a name not unknown to fans of Martin Scorsese classics such as "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull", pens a powerful screenplay based on the novel by Russell Banks and directs the same with the finesse of a master, although Paul Schrader, the director, seems to be under-recognized amongst film lovers. Do check out "Affliction". It is a fine work of cinema that certainly is essential viewing for film lovers who like their dramas laden with intensity. Score: 8.5/10

• Chris G

  
  When you dig into Affliction you feel like you're getting into a low rent Fargo. A man accidentally dies on a hunting expedition and bumpkin cop Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte) soon suspects foul play involving his friend, his boss, and the dead mans son in law. Affliction is much… More
  When you dig into Affliction you feel like you're getting into a low rent Fargo. A man accidentally dies on a hunting expedition and bumpkin cop Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte) soon suspects foul play involving his friend, his boss, and the dead mans son in law. Affliction is much more than that. The crime is just the MacGuffin to lead us to the real meat of the film which is Wade's downward spiral. Wade is divorced and his daughter will have nothing to do with him. He tries hard to have a relationship, sometimes too hard, but the spirit of his father is still etched into him and continues to carve away little pieces of his life. Wade's father Glen (James Coburn in an Oscar winning role) is your typical drunk and abusive father. You've seen it in several other movies. It's Coburn that makes the character more than that. His drunk isn't loud and brash all the time. He simmers. He knows what to say to get a rise. He's evil, yet he's the patriarch. Along with Nolte and Coburn you have Sissy Spacek as Wade's fiance and Willem Dafoe playing the other, more down to earth son who's almost too down to earth. he narrates the tale. It's a great cast of talented actors. Paul Schrader, best known for writing Scorsese's classic films Taxi driver, raging Bull, and The Last Temptation of Christ directs and adapts the novel by Russell Banks. When you get right down to it Wade Whithouse could be Travis Bickle if he stayed at home and got small municipal jobs in his podunk hometown. Schrader isn't crazy with the camera, but he's still able to show that even though they hate each other father and son still hold a bond between one another. This film is probably Schrader's best work as a director. Affliction could have easily been a Lifetime movie, but Scharader and his cast of actor turn it into a tour de force that represents the best of their talents. A little dull at a few points it is still a fine film and necessary when seeing how to cap off a great career.

• Drew S

  
  A very mediocre thriller made infinitely stronger by the inclusion of some really well-written themes and mindblowing performances. Affliction is a thesis on how competent acting and directing can easily overcome a subpar premise. The mystery that Nick Nolte spends most of the movie… More
  A very mediocre thriller made infinitely stronger by the inclusion of some really well-written themes and mindblowing performances. Affliction is a thesis on how competent acting and directing can easily overcome a subpar premise. The mystery that Nick Nolte spends most of the movie chasing after is anemic, meandering and poorly-developed; it's his past, his present and his future that make the movie far more interesting. The movie is his, with his father standing behind him like some sick puppet master ruling over all the events. James Coburn, looking like an evil frog, gives a downright chilling performance here. Coburn can immediately suspend the audience's disbelief, covering up the uninvolving plot and sucking you right back into the personal drama that these characters create. It is he who defines the entire movie, especially the explosive final fifteen minutes.

• Luke B

  
  Although almost everything in this film is fantastic, such as the cinematography and music. In the end everything is there to support its actors. The film deals with one mans obsession that he hopes will change his life, only to find out it is turning him into his greatest fear. The… More
  Although almost everything in this film is fantastic, such as the cinematography and music. In the end everything is there to support its actors. The film deals with one mans obsession that he hopes will change his life, only to find out it is turning him into his greatest fear. The setting of the isolated, snow filled town, perfectly represents the nature of the cold inhabitants. Fantastical.

• Stephen E

  
  Say what you want about the pacing or plot, I think Affliction is great. It's by far the most true-to-life story I have ever seen in cinema, and has quickly made its way into my top ten favorite movies of all time. Nick Nolte's performance should have earned him the Oscar.… More
  Say what you want about the pacing or plot, I think Affliction is great. It's by far the most true-to-life story I have ever seen in cinema, and has quickly made its way into my top ten favorite movies of all time. Nick Nolte's performance should have earned him the Oscar. I cannot urge anyone who has not seen this film to give it a chance. I hope that it will have the same effect on you as it did on me.

• Alec B

  
  The mystery subplot keeps the film from being a true masterpiece but overall its still very strong with Nick Nolte, James Coburn, Willem Dafoe, and Sissy Spacek all turning in fantastic performances. Nolte especially is strong who is at his best in this role.

• Stephen E

  
  Paul Schrader has finally hit a nerve with "Affliction", one of the most true-to-life films I have ever seen. It reaches out to those who've had rocky relationships with their fathers and offers them a helping hand. Not one other person could've played the role of… More
  Paul Schrader has finally hit a nerve with "Affliction", one of the most true-to-life films I have ever seen. It reaches out to those who've had rocky relationships with their fathers and offers them a helping hand. Not one other person could've played the role of Wade Whitehouse as well as Nick Nolte does. He brings a harshness to this character that honestly cannot be defined by words.

• deb .

  
  Nick Nolte and James Coburn are freakishly convincing in this movie.

• Christopher B

  
  Tragic, sad and disturbing look at madness and it's causes.

• Wu C

  
  Coburn is awesome as the abusive father.

Read all 10 featured audience ratings