joyce79djh The cycle of abuse is relentless -unless you remove yourself from this horrific situation -this film is a must for all men to see & wonder -am I like that? The performances are superb by Sissy Spacek & Nick Nolte-completely underrated actor

namashi_1 From the novel by Russell Banks, Paul Schrader's 'Affliction' is a depressing film, that leaves you with a hangover. Schrader's screenplay is so interesting and well-nuanced that your gripped throughout. The biggest plus point of the film, is, that it doesn't try to be REAL, because it pretty much is.'Affliction' is the story of Wade Whitehouse, played amazingly by Nolte, a depressed/frustrated and deranged man who hasn't recovered from the child-abuse he suffered from his father, played by the late James Coborn. As Wade is a small-town policeman in New Hampshire, he begins to investigate of a recently-deceased. 'Affliction' is a sad story of a sad man, who slowly starts aping his evil father as life comes to him. Which becomes his biggest defeat. But, it's a memorable character nonetheless.Paul Schrader's direction is brilliant as well. It's a tough subject to execute, understand and believe in. Schrader is at the top of his creativity in here. Performance-Wise: Nick Nolte as Wade, is amazing. The veteran sinks his teeth into the character and delivers his careers finest performance. The Late James Coburn is astounding. He plays the evil-part superbly and it doesn't come as a surprise that he was awarded an Oscar for his work over-here. Willem Dafoe is wonderful in a brief, but substantial role. Sissy Spacek is good. Jim True passable.On the whole, 'Affliction' is a must watch. It does depress you, but that is it's sheer power. Strongly Reccmended, with Two Enthusiastic Thumbs Up!

rickytrapp I went to a video store and bought Affliction for $10. I bought it home and I watched it with my grandmother. My grandmother did not like it, nor did I that much. But there were some good elements The acting was tops. James Coburn completely deserved his Oscar, Nick Nolte also deserved the nomination. In fact, the whole cast was brilliant. But, they were all unlikeable characters. There was a well written screenplay, but what was the point of it? The world wasn't depressing enough? I did not like Affliction and I was surprised to see how many on this website did. So I file this title under "Not For Every Taste".Affliction: ** out of ****. Rated R for Extremely Depressing Subject Matter & Language.

moonspinner55 An assuredly downbeat, intentionally unpleasant story, adapted by director Paul Schrader from Russell Banks' book, about a divorced, desperate middle-aged man in a snowy small town who is unable to come to terms with his volatile past. James Coburn and Nick Nolte are gripping as father and son, with Coburn winning a Supporting Oscar for his superbly gritty and totally unsympathetic turn; yet, even as the film strikes truthful notes, it lays possibly too much grim material on us. The father is not only abusive and an alcoholic, but something of a psychotic (Schrader treats the three as if they are naturally linked). A sub-plot about a shooting never quite connects with the central situation, and Sissy Spacek isn't given much to do as a long-time acquaintance. Strictly viewed as a showcase for the two actors, worthwhile; but as a movie-going experience, the frozen waste of the land and the uncommunicative relationships left me chilled and unsatisfied. ** from ****