A REVIEW OF "AFFLICTION"
by Ryan Ellis
give me a buzz on the ol' e-lines, iluvmick@hotmail.com
You should be open-minded when you walk into movie theatres. It's not fair to pre-judge films and remain closed to the possibility that you actually might like it. For instance, I thought that when I finally saw the hyped-up Oscar-winner, "The English Patient", I would hate it, but it was excellent and enjoyable. So, yes, preconceived notions can hinder a reviewer and make the review seem much less credible. Having said all of that, I strolled into the theatre to see "Affliction" and winced when Paul Schrader's name appeared as the director. Sorry, but the ol' mind was a little closed here. The screenwriter of "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull", Schrader seems to have a fixation on showing every form of the sordid side of society. I think "Taxi Driver" is highly overrated and the violence is gratuitous. I hold Schrader responsible. Well, if that film is about urban paranoia, "Affliction" must be about rural paranoia. This is a typical Schrader story of the seamy underbelly of human life. It probes the emotions and feelings of its characters very well until the rather abrupt finale that leaves something to be desired. There's no subtlety to the conclusion and the film is not as poetic as it tries to be. It's actually too obvious what they're trying to say with the metaphors of alcoholism and dealing with pain. However, I hate to give a poor recommendation to a film that could win two acting Oscars. So I won't. This is a film worth seeing, if only for Nick Nolte and James Coburn, who could each win their first trophy (Nolte for lead actor and Coburn for supporting). The performances are great, but the movie is unsatisfying. The story features Wade Whitehouse (Nolte) a bitterly divorced father of a little girl and the small town's spineless cop. He also works as a snow-removal guy. His life is an absolute mess. His daughter says she loves him, but can't handle being around him. His girlfriend, Margie (Sissy Spacek), is sympathetic, but she is unable to positively affect his life. Willem Dafoe, who narrates and plays his brother, Rolfe, has left the small Maine town to make a life for himself and forget about the bad childhood memories he left behind. And that leads us to a man (James Coburn) who is a cinch to walk up the steps on Oscar night for his cruelly outstanding supporting performance as Wade's father, Glen Whitehouse. For this unrepentant role of a selfish old drunk, and for his lengthy (yet unrewarded career), Coburn is due. When Wade and Rolfe were young, their father verbally abused them and even resorted to violence. This contemptable man grows old, not caring that he has scarred Wade inside more than his punches ever could. Wade tries his best not to be a bad man, but he is failing. He is a loser and the only thing preventing him from becoming just his drunken father in the first half of the film is a desperate attempt to cling to his sanity. After an inexperienced hunter is found shot while out with Wade's friend and co-worker, Jack Hewitt (Jim True), Wade suspects that the death was a murder conspiracy with several key players--including his own boss. He sets out to prove it, making wild accusations, losing his job, and alienating his girlfriend and daughter. Meanwhile, to add to Wade's troubles, his mother dies because of his father's uncaring negligence, causing Wade to move back in and take care of the old bastard. This is supposed to be a character study and it certainly is that. For a little while, it actually looks like a serious "Fargo". But, towards the end, it takes a hard turn and Wade collapses into such despair and desperation that he clearly becomes his father. He fights that transition, but in such a weak script it's inevitable. I can't say more because that would reveal too much, but I have one suggestion (which is obviously months too late!)--the very last image in the film should be of Nolte's defeated face. After all, he's the thrust of this slow-moving tale. Nolte could take home the golden prize on Oscar Night, Coburn probably WILL for his years of fine work, and they both deserve to win. These are definitely characters we care about, no matter what horrible things they do or say. We want to see what will happen to them. However, this film is neither enjoyable nor as intelligent as it wants to be. A better director would have found a better hook to make the story as unforgettable as its subjects.
USELESS TRIVIA--Paul Schrader also directed "American Gigolo". If I ever review that piece of trash, it will get one of the very rare 0/10 ratings I'll EVER give. There is NO reason for people to see that film (and I usually give at least SLIGHT recommendations!).
This film gets a 6/10.
THE RYAN RATING SYSTEM SAYS... 10/10--absolutely outstanding 9/10--excellent 8/10--pretty darn good 7/10--sure, go on and give it a peek 6/10--so-so; ye ol' recommendation point 5/10--not quite worth the dollars 4/10--only if you have a free pass 3/10--don't go, PLEASE don't go 2/10--avoid even if you DO have a free pass 1/10--"Showgirls" territory; truly crappy 0/10--bang your head off a wall instead
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