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The Human Stain Details

2003 Certificate 18 Certificate 18
  • 50
  • from 11,661 members

Director Robert Benton brings Philip Roth's 2000 novel THE HUMAN STAIN to the screen in this lavish production, with expert cinematography from Jean-Yves Escoffier. Coleman Silk (Anthony Hopkins) is a light-skinned African-American college professor who has kept his true racial identity secret for the majority of his life. His .. Read more

Starring Anthony Hopkins, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, Gary Sinise
Director Robert Benton
Genres Drama

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The Human Stain

Director Robert Benton brings Philip Roth's 2000 novel THE HUMAN STAIN to the screen in this lavish production, with expert cinematography from Jean-Yves Escoffier. Coleman Silk (Anthony Hopkins) is a light-skinned African-American college professor who has kept his true racial identity secret for the majority of his life. His career comes to a sudden halt when he makes a comment that is misinterpreted as a racial slur. Soon after he is fired, Silk hooks up with young Faunia Farely (Nicole Kidman). The affair with Farely, who is almost half Silk's age, becomes small-town gossip, and attracts the attention of Farely's psychotic ex-husband, Lester (Ed Harris). As Lester seeks vengeance, still angry at his ex-wife, Silk must make some tough decisions about his affair with Farely, leading to the film's nail-biting conclusion.
Benton draws incredibly convincing performances from his two lead actors. Hopkins ably transcends his Caucasian ethnicity to play an African American. And Kidman fully embraces her character as a downtrodden janitor who is determined to rise beyond her humble beginnings. The two actors conquer the difficult subject matter, offering fascinating commentary on racial mores and relationship issues.

Starring Anthony Hopkins, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, Gary Sinise, Wentworth Miller
Director Robert Benton
Studio WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 41 mins
LOVEFiLM Instant: 1 hr 41 mins
Certificate Certificate 18 DVD
Certificate 18 LOVEFiLM Instant
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
LOVEFiLM Instant: English
Released Production year: 2003

On LOVEFiLM Instant:
LOVEFiLM Instant: 01 Mar 2012

To Rent:
DVD: 01 May 2007
LOVEFiLM Instant £2.49

  • Critic's review of The Human Stain

    View all critics' reviews (3)

    • Ponderous drama of guilt and recrimination that gets equally ponderous performances from its two leads; there's no imaginative life in the movie.

    • 33833

  • Most helpful member's review of The Human Stain

    View all members' reviews (153)

    • Rated - 1.0 star  

      • 96
      • 59

      Shocking

      I would rather eat my own head than watch this toilet again. I brief glimpse of Nicole Kidmans pert bappage cannot save this - it is dire on every level. Save ... read more »

      Report this review

    • 81332

  • Most recent members' reviews of The Human Stain

    View all members' reviews (153)

    • Rated - 1.5 stars  

      • 0
      • 0

      total rubbish

      hired this because of the cast, but its dire, the opening scenes are quite powerful but after that its pointless. i watched it with my girlfriend who has quite ... read more »

      Report this review

    • 1095379

    • Rated - 2.0 stars  

      • 0
      • 1

      Oh Dear! Disappointing!

      Didn't seem to be going anywhere! Not one for Tony Hopkins. Can't imagine why such a talented actor agreed to do this one!

      Report this review

    • 988006
  • View all members' reviews (153)

  • News and features

    View all
    The Apartment

    Nicole Kidman

    • 27 Feb 2008

    "She says turn on the light, otherwise it can't be seen/She's got cheekbones like geometry and eyes like sin" - Perfect Skin, by Lloyd Cole Nicole Kidman has a way of turning men's brains to mush. Critics go ga-ga for her: this was the woman who inspired that famous "theatrical Viagra" review when she starred in The Blue Room in the West End. Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw fancied he could "hear the faint crackle of her stockings" as she entered The Golden Compass. The usually estimable... Read more

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Rating breakdown

11,661 Member ratings
  • 100
386
  • 90
493
  • 80
974
  • 70
1,475
  • 60
2,191
  • 50
1,854
  • 40
1,640
  • 30
1,223
  • 20
960
  • 10
465

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    • The Human Stain

    • The Human Stain
      Director Robert Benton brings Philip Roth's 2000 novel THE HUMAN STAIN to the screen in this lavish production, with expert cinematography from Jean-Yves Escoffier. Coleman Silk (Anthony Hopkins) is a light-skinned African-American college professor who has kept his true racial identity secret for ...

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