Paul Schrader's uncompromising drama about one man's descent into madness, Affliction is a film on par with the more celebrated Russell Banks adaptation The Sweet Hereafter. In many ways it might be better - the performances by Nick Nolte and James Coburn are so phenomenal that they might push this film slightly above Atom Egoyan's film in my mind. The only problem with this film might be the flashbacks, which don't quite work as well as they should. But aside from that, I think this is a wonderful film. Nick Nolte should have won the Oscar for so fully embodying a man driven to the edge by alcohol, his family, and his own inability to control his anger and paranoia. James Coburn deserved the Oscar he won for his terrifying portrayal of a cruel and abusive man, and watching him we understand why Schrader said he needed an actor who could convincingly terrify a character played by Nick Nolte. Check this film out.
Review of Affliction
