IMDb > The Human Stain (2003)
The Human Stain
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The Human Stain (2003) More at IMDbPro »

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The Human Stain (2003) -- When a disgraced former college professor has a romance with a mysterious younger woman haunted by her dark twisted past, he is forced to confront a shocking secret about his own life that he has kept secret for 50 years.
The Human Stain (2003) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   12,647 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Philip Roth (novel)
Nicholas Meyer (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Human Stain on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
29 October 2003 (France) more
Genre:
Tagline:
How far would you go to escape the past?
Plot:
When a disgraced former college professor has a romance with a mysterious younger woman haunted by her dark twisted past, he is forced to confront a shocking secret about his own life that he has kept secret for 50 years. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 wins & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(21 articles)
Show me the Money | Mark Lawson
 (From The Guardian - TV News. 12 November 2009, 1:30 PM, PST)

Dog Ears Music: Volume Ninety-Seven
 (From Huffington Post. 6 November 2009, 9:28 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A Near Perfect Film more (200 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Der menschliche Makel (Germany)
La couleur du mensonge (France)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for language and sexuality/nudity.
Runtime:
106 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In a 2003 op/ed piece in The New York Times, writer Brent Staples reported that Philip Roth's inspiration for the Coleman Silk character was the New York Times literary critic Anatole Broyard, who "passed" for white for the last 40 years of his life, and perpetuated his deception so completely that even his two children did not know their father was black until just before his death. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: The camera used to tape the interview is a Sony PD-150, a camera that didn't exist in 1998. more
Quotes:
Nathan Zuckerman: I'm writing a book... it's called 'The Human Stain'. more
Movie Connections:
References The Manchurian Candidate (1962) more
Soundtrack:
Schubert String Quintet in C Major more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
89 out of 117 people found the following comment useful.
A Near Perfect Film, 20 August 2004
10/10
Author: Gary Murphy (glm@hilbertinc.com) from Olathe, KS, USA

I honestly can not think of a single thing wrong with this movie. The actors are top rate actors that consistently turn in exceptional performances. This movie is no exception.

The plot is intriguing. The pasts of the main protagonists unfold, making their characters exceptionally deep. We get to see these characters evolve in interesting and compelling ways. There are shades-of-grey in these characters. We don't have the perfect hero. We have gentle people with kind hearts who make mistakes.

The direction is perfectly understated. There is a lot of nuance in the way the scenes are filmed and the way in which the actors are framed. Instead of the love scenes being the all-to-familiar humping and groaning, these scenes are filmed without graphic nudity. Note the way in which Anthony Hopkins places his hands on Nicole Kidman's back. It is so loving and tender and intimate.

Even the editing is right on. The length of the film, at 106 minutes, is the perfect length. There are no wasted scenes.

Some of the material is hard to watch. Note the posture and the facial expression on Anthony Hopkins in the kitchen scene in which Nicole Kidman is giving him a hard time. It is subtle and painful to watch.

If you are into light-hearted escapist film, this isn't for you. The subject matter is deep and difficult. I like these kinds of movies and this one is one of the best in class.

Kudos to all involved with this film.

Was the above comment useful to you?
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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Human Stain (2003)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Did not translate well to the screen evegale-3
Problems with the movie? themightybernie
Didn't Coleman say he was Jewish? BrionyTallis
Okay...Lets End This miamiloverg
this movie was hardcore amazing okusauk
Wentworth Miller missjazzy2145
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