Sophie’s Choice (1982)
Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Peter MacNicol, Rita
Karin, Stephen D. Newman, Josh Mostel, Marcell Rosenblatt, Moishe Rosenfeld,
Robin Bartlett, Eugene Lipinski, John Rothman, Neddim Prohic, Katharina
Thalbach, Jennifer Lawn, Adrian Kalitka, Joseph Leon, David Wohl, Vida Jerman,
Josef Sommer
Plot: This is about Sophie Zawistowska. A WW2 survivor. This
showcases a penetrating drama set in post-World War II Brooklyn. Nathan is her
all-consuming lover. The story revolves around Sophie’s struggle as a Polish-Catholic
immigrant in the United States who had survived a Nazi concentration camp. The
lovers’ drama unfolds through the observations of a friend and would-be writer,
Stingo. As the trio grows closer, Stingo uncovers the hidden truths that they
each harbor.
Film: (5/5)
This is a sensual romantic, tragic and truly eye opening
unthinkable past and present struggle of perfection cinema. This is a film that
shall be remembered and honored in the true moments of historical cinema. This
film is what film making is all about. The acting, directing, story and
complete atmosphere is a golden masterpiece of absorbing truths and heart
wrenching reality.
This is based on the book by the same name written
wonderfully by William Styron. This is a love story that is tainted with a past
of unrelenting horrors and choices. A love story on modern reality yet is
clouded with the actions and destruction of history. There are many horrors in
the world. Many acts of depravity throughout history, but one dark stain of reality
is World War 2. The Nazi's are the beacon of hate and the body-fication of
evil. A moment in history that forever stained the makeup of time. A powerful
example of what true hell could be like in the actions and situations caused by
a race of men and women calling themselves a superior race, when in honesty the
nasty reality was man destroying his own self.
You ever enter a movie not really knowing what you’re going
to get into. Well that is what happened with me with this movie when I first
saw it many years ago. It has forever stayed with me ever since first seeing
it. I was very happy to get the chance to review this new Special Collector’s
edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo by the wonderful Shout Factory.
Powerful and haunting. A true nightmare inducing movie of
real depravity in forced choice. The disturbing reality and the mystery builds
for the viewer on just what Sophie choice was.
If there is a concept of evil, if it does exist, if the
devil is real then the acts of the Nazi's mentioned and detailed in history and
in this movie is all the truth one needs to grasp the real reality and makeup
of the concepts of evil and the devil. For these actions that took place are
described and defined in history, so the Nazi death dealers can be looked at as
evil and as the persona of the devil.
For these aspects are not mere words or fictionalized fairy
tales for they are real. Once you read in history books about the horrible
actions you can never deny what happened. Sophie's Choice is not only a
beautiful dramatic love story it's a film that mixes the past of one woman's
choice that ultimately defines and haunts and destroys her.
The honesty of one woman's choice and the horrors she had to
deal with, is a life stopping reality.
I want to say this movie causes one to remember it. What
happened in history and choices one has to make is showcased so that modern and
future generations can understand and experience firsthand knowledge of horror.
There is no greater horror then the evil of Nazi Germany.
Nothing I have ever read or even seen can compare to the truthful descriptions
of evil that happened. There are movies that are able to showcase the torment
in fictional form that generations can experience the tragedy and heart ache
that it was. Sophie's Choice plays on the back drop of WW2 and mixes it with
the aftermath of a survivor and of a horrible choice that one had to make. I
won’t forgot nor will I forget anything in this movie.
To truly grace this film is to experience the masterpiece
worthy acting from Meryl Streep. She is the very embodiment of what acting is
about. Her career of movies is something that graces the very makeup and foundation
of the history of cinema. She owns and gives her all to the character of Sophie
in this dramatic and mind numbing story and experience. She won an Academy
Award for this role and deserved it greatly.
I have loved Meryl my whole entire movie watching life. She
can create true life on screen. She is able to explore each character no matter
from comedy to tragedy. She owns it all in wonderful realities through her
performances. She is able to control and express emotions and bring forth those
emotions. The viewers watching her performance as Sophie will bring forth their
own emotions showcasing her award worthy haunting, dramatic and passionate
struggle. If there is one actress that has stepped up the ladder to the likes
of Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, it is Meryl
Streep.
Directed by the amazing and truly gifted visionary director,
producer and writer that sadly we lost in 1998, Alan J. Pakula. He always had
away with cinema in creating believable scenarios and memorable shots of the
camera and focus on a certain moment in his films. He created such greats as
All the President's Men (1976), Presumed Innocent (1990) among many others. His
gift showed and Sophie's Choice is that shinning gift in all its amazing
moments from drama, to sensual, to the tragic. Sophie's Choice through the lens
and hands of Alan J. Pakula crafted a memorable film. What is amazing about
Alan J. Pakula he adapted the book Sophie's Choice to the screenplay that was
used. He not only created his vision for the story on screen but all so on
paper.
This stars another wonderful award worthy actor Kevin Kline.
Been a huge fan of his for many years. He always is able to capture his
characters from comical laugh out funny characters to gut wrenching moments of
drama induced beauty. I love his persona in Sophie's Choice. He is the
character of Nathan and owns it and creates it and gives it his all. I fell in
love with Nathan and his care and his love consuming reality toward Sophie and
also his brutal self-depression and anger and deranged persona. Kline and
Streep are perfect together. Their chemistry flows as if it's real. It feels
real and the personal touch of emotions through both of them acting brilliant,
leaves the viewer touched and emotionally charged.
I must talk about the writer of the book that became this
movie because he was a gifted and a true one of a kind author that I have
enjoyed for many years. He sadly passed in 2006 but his career of stories will
always remain with me and for future generations. William Styron is what
writing is all about. He could create and craft his characters into a vivid
reality for his readers. His personal beauty of writing is also shown in the
movie Sophie's Choice. The novel of Sophie's Choice is considered his best work
and is considered one of the best books of the 20th Century. The book went on
to win the US National Book Award for Fiction in 1980.
Sadly the book banning Nazi's of today have tried their best
in many spots to ban the book from High School's because of its sexual nature.
Thankfully most of the time the school's win and are able to keep the book on
the shelves but sadly these book banning Nazi's flare up every now and then.
The book is still banned in many countries.
If you ever get a chance read this book and yes also watch this movie.
The movie has breathtaking cinematography. Truly magical in
moments of filming. Also standing out is the costumes. They are stunning and
real and the wardrobe from the WW2 flashbacks, to the moments of present
showcase how one can create a film with flawless costumes and makeup. Sophie, when
shots of the past show up inside the concentration camp and all those around
her, is truly memorable and sad and haunting and very nightmarish through the
very gifted makeup work and costume display.
Now what truly stands out and caused much controversy is
this was not about a Jew in a concentration camp. Sophie was a non-Jew and it
showcased her torment, turmoil and also sexual nature in very vivid ways in the
book and even the movie showcases the sexual sensual love affair of Sophie and
Nathan. The other controversy of the story is the Polish anti-Semitism.
Something I never understand about people is why they are so scarred of the
truth and the truth of history. It happened deal with it, no matter how
horrible it was.
The movie had a budget of 9 million dollars and made over 30
million at the box office when it was released. Today this type of movie being
made could not even come into fruition for 9 million. This film is so perfectly
done that it's a perfect landmark of cinema history. Shout Factory has brought
out this amazing movie on a wonderful amazing Blu-ray DVD combo that deserves
to be owned and shared with this modern generation. This 80's film is something
that everyone calling themselves a movie buff, a cinema lover and a film
critic, must own and view.
This is a tragic and horrible and nightmarish story mixed
with romance and a sensual love affair. WW2 had some of the most god awful
truths ever acted out in history. This is a must own, must read book and must
watch film. The truth of WW2 must be taught so that all generations understand,
accept and never fall again into this horrible act of genocide upon any living
being.
This is a great film to watch and own, I highly recommend
it. The thought provoking and well-crafted and well developed film is one that
truly stands out as being a perfect film that is something unforgettable. This
truly is a Portrait of a time and of a situation in history that stands the
test of time. To own this special edition Blu-ray DVD combo is to own
perfection. Shout Factory did a marvelous job and crafted a must own product.
Audio/Video: (5/5)
Crisp and clear audio vibrant and restored beauty of
imagery. This feels new and fresh and is truly crafted in a wonderful new
setting.
Blu-ray Disc 1080p High Definition DTS HD Master Audio
DVD Anamorphic Widescreen Dolby Digital
Extras: (5/5)
New Round-table Conversation with Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline,
Donald Laventhall (director Alan Pakula's assistant during the film), Hanna
Pakula (director Alan Pakula's widow), Rose Styron (the widow of the novel's
author, William Styron) and moderator Boaty Boatwright.
Audio Commentary with Director Alan J. Pakula
Theatrical Trailer
I absolutely love the Round-table with the actors. Truly
something to see. The Blu-ray Combo pack is worthy to buy just for it. It's a
great in-depth experience to see them all back together talking about this
masterpiece film and its historical and cinematic importance.
Overall: (5/5)
This is a must own piece of cinema history. Shout Factory
did a fantastic job restoring this powerful piece of cinema. This is a movie
that stands the test of time and creates many emotions throughout the film. The
viewer is held until the very end.
A passionate, haunting, emotionally inducing film that
lingers long after it's over.