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Nick Nolte, James Coburn, Sissy Spacek, Willem Dafoe, Mary Beth Hurt ... see more see more... , Jim True , Marian Seldes , Holmes Osborne , Brigid Tierney , Sean McCann , Wayne Robson

Nick Nolte and James Coburn deliver some of the finest work of their respective careers in this powerful but troubling adaptation of Russell Banks's novel. Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte) is the sheriff ... read more read more...in a small New England town; it's a part-time job with few taxing responsibilities, and Wade fills his many free hours by swilling booze, smoking pot, and thinking back on his nightmarish childhood. Wade's father Glen (James Coburn) was by turns callous, distant, and abusive, and Wade has inherited his addiction to alcohol and inability to deal with others. Consequently, Wade's ex-wife (Mary Beth Hurt) despises him, his daughter is uncomfortable and frightened in his presence, and the only person who can reach him is his loving but long-suffering girlfriend Margie (Sissy Spacek). When a wealthy businessman is killed in a hunting accident, Wade suspects foul play and pursues the case with an obsession that puzzles all around him; meanwhile, Wade's mother dies and his brother Rolfe (Willem Dafoe), the only one in the family to escape Glen's abuse without crippling emotional scars, returns to pay his respects and is caught up once again in the damaged lives of his father and brother. James Coburn) won an Academy award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Affliction, while Nick Nolte was nominated for Best Actor (he lost to Roberto Benigni). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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69% liked it

4,990 ratings

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87% liked it

46 critics

R, 1 hr. 53 min.

Directed by: Paul Schrader

Release Date: June 1, 1997

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DVD Release Date: July 3, 1999

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Flixster Reviews (243)

  • imrealgod
    March 12, 2012
    imrealgod
    The plot sounded interesting and it did begin rightly so. However, it failed to maintain that level of interest as it congresses. The story is messed up & lacks thrill. If only critical acclaims could make up for a disappointing experience!!! On the greener side, it's much better... read more than some recent experiences. Good if it works for you. Give it a go.
  • gokhale1
    August 3, 2011
    gokhale1
    Domestic violence is disturbing, indeed! Especially when the head of the family, like a husband or a father turns out to be an abusive alcoholic who flies off the handle every once in a while and turns violent at the slightest of provocation! It is unimaginable what impact that m... read moreight have on young minds, children of the person in question...how do the people at the receiving end of this affliction turn out?


    Screenwriter/Director Paul Schrader's surprisingly less known 1997 film "Affliction" touches upon a situation like this and chronicles the happenings in the life of one such "victim" as a seemingly unrelated incident in the small town he resides in ultimately results in a personal crisis of sorts for him.

    Rolfe Whitehouse's (Willem Dafoe) voiceover narration chronicles the events (from his own perspective) leading up to the disappearance of his older brother Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte). Wade is a police officer and part time security in-charge in a quiet little town. However, he seems to have troubles of his own..he is preparing to fight for the custody of his daughter Jill who's currently with his ex-wife. He is also haunted by the memories of his traumatic childhood in the shadow of his abusive, perpetually drunk father Glen (James Coburn). He also feels for his mother who has had to suffer for years living with a man like that. His younger brother, Rolfe, on the other hand has managed to escape that world and move out, become a successful teacher in Boston University and live a good life.

    [img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IChCs0vhDP8/TjmMxj-MegI/AAAAAAAAB80/zxv6Yx_qgtw/vlcsnap-2011-08-03-23h26m04s105.jpg[/img]

    Life seems to be decent enough for Wade, with his good friend and newfound romantic interest, Margie Fogg (Sissy Spacek) who works at a local diner. Unbeknownst to him, though, some of his father's violent streak seems to have rubbed off on Wade...which doesn't manifest until much later after a hunting accident. Wade suspects that the hunting "accident" which took the life of a rich man by the name of Twombley, is actually murder, with some of his friends and colleagues involved in it. The incident is quickly followed by Wade's mother's demise which puts his father's responsibility on him, adding to his woes, as Glen seems to show no signs of improvement with age, and makes life difficult for him as well as Margie. Wade finds himself struggling to stay afloat, trying to keep his job, stay in the good books of his daughter Jill, retain Margie's affection, and somehow keep his father at bay.....but how much can one handle?!

    [img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4LcS2keSzXA/TjmMxMwLlMI/AAAAAAAAB84/MF8C5dhYKdY/vlcsnap-2011-08-03-23h17m43s2.jpg[/img]

    "Affliction" is, on one hand, a murder mystery and on the other, a profound character sketch detailing the difficult Glen Whitehouse and his son Wade who seems to be coming dangerously close to treading his father's ugly footsteps. The driving force of "Affliction" is some deftly crafted moments that manage to disturb you as you are left with no choice but to try and fathom how men could resort to such terrible behavior and what makes them so difficult to handle. None of the episodes come across as forced or unrealistic, at that, as these are the traits of real people. One can't deny the existence of such traits in individuals belonging to perfectly normal families. Why does Glen drink so much? How does Glen feel absolutely no remorse after hitting women and children and relentlessly spewing abuses? And what makes the ones at the receiving end so tolerant? There are some highly intense moments in this bleak picture that make for some great drama, like the brawl during Wade's mom's funeral or Wade's outburst when he suspects his friends/colleagues being involved in the "accident" of Twombley. The intensity clubbed with some powerhouse performances make for a great viewing.

    [img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nl1LOR0-qOg/TjmMxjjXC-I/AAAAAAAAB8w/-Z7SfdDH-Oc/vlcsnap-2011-08-03-23h28m35s42.jpg[/img]

    While James Coburn bagged the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his remarkable act as the grumpy old irritable father, Nick Nolte emerges a clear winner with his Oscar nominated, volatile performance as Wade, who is doing his best in his attempts at not being like his father and trying hold together his life that is steadily unraveling. It is a performance to watch out for, although one can't deny that there were times when he seemed to be a tad Jack Nicholson-ish in his acting! That in no way takes any credibility out though, as your heart goes out to the hapless Wade, who's clearly a victim of circumstance!

    Others like Willem Dafoe, Holmes Osborne and Sissy Spacek appear very briefly. Dafoe's voice appears more than his physical presence itself, which is a pity, but maybe the screenplay demanded Nolte's character's presence much more than anyone else's!

    Paul Schrader, a name not unknown to fans of Martin Scorsese classics such as "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull", pens a powerful screenplay based on the novel by Russell Banks and directs the same with the finesse of a master, although Paul Schrader, the director, seems to be under-recognized amongst film lovers.

    Do check out "Affliction". It is a fine work of cinema that certainly is essential viewing for film lovers who like their dramas laden with intensity.

    Score: 8.5/10
  • sononothing
    February 22, 2009
    sononothing
    When you dig into Affliction you feel like you're getting into a low rent Fargo. A man accidentally dies on a hunting expedition and bumpkin cop Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte) soon suspects foul play involving his friend, his boss, and the dead mans son in law.

    Affliction is much... read more more than that. The crime is just the MacGuffin to lead us to the real meat of the film which is Wade's downward spiral. Wade is divorced and his daughter will have nothing to do with him. He tries hard to have a relationship, sometimes too hard, but the spirit of his father is still etched into him and continues to carve away little pieces of his life. Wade's father Glen (James Coburn in an Oscar winning role) is your typical drunk and abusive father. You've seen it in several other movies. It's Coburn that makes the character more than that. His drunk isn't loud and brash all the time. He simmers. He knows what to say to get a rise. He's evil, yet he's the patriarch.

    Along with Nolte and Coburn you have Sissy Spacek as Wade's fiance and Willem Dafoe playing the other, more down to earth son who's almost too down to earth. he narrates the tale. It's a great cast of talented actors.

    Paul Schrader, best known for writing Scorsese's classic films Taxi driver, raging Bull, and The Last Temptation of Christ directs and adapts the novel by Russell Banks. When you get right down to it Wade Whithouse could be Travis Bickle if he stayed at home and got small municipal jobs in his podunk hometown. Schrader isn't crazy with the camera, but he's still able to show that even though they hate each other father and son still hold a bond between one another. This film is probably Schrader's best work as a director.

    Affliction could have easily been a Lifetime movie, but Scharader and his cast of actor turn it into a tour de force that represents the best of their talents. A little dull at a few points it is still a fine film and necessary when seeing how to cap off a great career.
  • ceWEBrity
    March 15, 2007
    ceWEBrity
    A very mediocre thriller made infinitely stronger by the inclusion of some really well-written themes and mindblowing performances. Affliction is a thesis on how competent acting and directing can easily overcome a subpar premise. The mystery that Nick Nolte spends most of the mo... read morevie chasing after is anemic, meandering and poorly-developed; it's his past, his present and his future that make the movie far more interesting. The movie is his, with his father standing behind him like some sick puppet master ruling over all the events.

    James Coburn, looking like an evil frog, gives a downright chilling performance here. Coburn can immediately suspend the audience's disbelief, covering up the uninvolving plot and sucking you right back into the personal drama that these characters create. It is he who defines the entire movie, especially the explosive final fifteen minutes.
  • kiriyamakazou
    June 3, 2006
    kiriyamakazou
    Although almost everything in this film is fantastic, such as the cinematography and music. In the end everything is there to support its actors. The film deals with one mans obsession that he hopes will change his life, only to find out it is turning him into his greatest fear. ... read moreThe setting of the isolated, snow filled town, perfectly represents the nature of the cold inhabitants. Fantastical.
  • hypathio7
    February 12, 2012
    hypathio7
    Willem Dafoe narrates as the younger more bookish and distant son of Glen Whitehouse (Coburn). Nick Nolte is Wade Whitehouse, the older son who stays closer to his parents, but struggles to break the habits formed in him by his abusive father. Wade is not only the sheriff in his ... read moresmall New England town, but the snow plow driver as well. When a hunting accident seems a little fishy, you want to believe that Wade's suspicions and investigations will lead to his validation. Sissy Spacek is Margie, Wade's girlfriend. She is supportive as he is reminded of his father's abusive ways. However, Wade has a sore tooth afflicting him, which irritates him to the point of driving Margie away, alienating his boss, and striking back at his father in a big way. It is not a happy story, but it contains an important theme about how men deal with overcoming abusive relationships with their dads.
  • stevetheman1236
    September 10, 2011
    stevetheman1236
    Say what you want about the pacing or plot, I think Affliction is great. It's by far the most true-to-life story I have ever seen in cinema, and has quickly made its way into my top ten favorite movies of all time. Nick Nolte's performance should have earned him the Oscar.

    I can... read morenot urge anyone who has not seen this film to give it a chance. I hope that it will have the same effect on you as it did on me.
  • fb20312798
    April 17, 2010
    fb20312798
    The mystery subplot keeps the film from being a true masterpiece but overall its still very strong with Nick Nolte, James Coburn, Willem Dafoe, and Sissy Spacek all turning in fantastic performances. Nolte especially is strong who is at his best in this role.
  • StefanoEarnest
    November 29, 2011
    StefanoEarnest
    Paul Schrader has finally hit a nerve with "Affliction", one of the most true-to-life films I have ever seen. It reaches out to those who've had rocky relationships with their fathers and offers them a helping hand. Not one other person could've played the role of Wade Whitehouse... read more as well as Nick Nolte does. He brings a harshness to this character that honestly cannot be defined by words.
  • debmm
    March 26, 2008
    debmm
    Nick Nolte and James Coburn are freakishly convincing in this movie.

View All Affliction Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rob Nelson
August 21, 2009
Rob Nelson, City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul

Nolte could have based his oddly sympathetic performance on the image of a sick animal scrounging for food and shelter along deserted country roads. Full Review

Ted Murphy
January 11, 2007
Ted Murphy, Murphy's Movie Reviews

Schrader has skillfully turned Banks' novel into a compelling character study. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 12, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Well acted by Nolte and Coburn, Schrader's strongest film in years is a powerful reverie on family curse, how incontrollable anger, drinking, and violence almost inevitably pass on from one generation... Full Review

Philip Martin
January 8, 2005
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Affliction is a shattering film, a dose of bracing naturalism based on Russell Banks' most lacerating novel. Full Review

Judith Egerton
July 7, 2004
Judith Egerton, Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

One wonders why Dafoe is even in the movie. But Nolte is, and that's what enriches Schrader's bleak drama. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
January 17, 2003
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

A terrifying movie that faces the truth of cruelty and its everlasting results. Full Review

David Nusair
September 25, 2002
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

Despite some great performances, Affliction never really takes off. Full Review

Jeffrey Westhoff
August 30, 2002
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

The heart of Affliction is Nick Nolte's searing performance.

Jason Clark
June 13, 2002
Jason Clark, Matinee Magazine

Chilly, despite some remarkable components Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 3, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Rarely has the dynamics of family violence been portrayed on the screen with such grim and palpable power. Full Review

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  • Thank you, your honor. With God's help I'll conquer this terrible affliction Which movie is this quote from?  Answer »
  • Who plays Nick Nolte's father in the movie Affliction  Answer »
  • Who is the narrator in the movie "Affliction"?  Answer »
  • In The Right Stuff, the wife of astronaut John Glenn suffers from which affliction?  Answer »
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