Rating: 
Summary: it is kicks @$$
Review: its the best movie is the world i got as a gift from a friend you have to see it to know for sure that is if your an limpbizkit fan
Rating:
Summary: Hands down, the best movie of 1998.
Review: You must be nuts not to see this film! Nick Nolte gives the performance of his life in the best movie of '98. I was quite surprised to find that it did not get nominated for more awards than it did. James Coburn also gives a monumental performance. The script, the cinematographgy, everything is just right. You must be nuts not to see this film!
Rating: 
Summary: dark and gritty, but somewhat pointless
Review: Nolte is truly at his form here, and finds an equal in Coburne. The darkness of this film reveals itself early as we see an eager, but notably annoyed Nolte argueing with his (10-11?) year old daughter. She wants to go home to her mother, as she does in every scene she is in. He wants her to "lighten up" and have some fun. She can't obviously, because he is a man on the edge. He is exceedingly paranoid, and we see this aspect played out in spades between him and his brother, cameoed by Willum Defoe. It's a dark road ahead for Wade Whitehouse, and he drags us along kicking and screaming. I would have liked this movie much better if it had a point. It all goes along by the numbers, Wade alienating himself from everyone around him. Then at the end it seemed as though they cut out 15 or 20 minutes. It had no "final confrontation", no "moment of enlightenment" that would justify what we had just witnessed. Apparently the screenwriter thought that the burning of the garage was the climax, and there was no point in going on. If that's true, then he should have made up an ending. I don't know if a stand off would have worked because that's not really what this movie is about. Maybe if he went after his ex and got shot or something. I don't know, some kind of finality. The voice over at the end just leaves you hanging, and I hate that! It's worth renting if you are a movie buff and the shelves of the local video store are looking pretty bare of original material.
Rating: 
Summary: Depressing tale of emotional and physical abuse.
Review: Why do audiences sit through ugy, depressing films like this and then praise its "truth." Two hours of emotional and physical abuse that not only engulfs the characters on screen but spills out into the audience. A tacked on narration at the end descrying what has gone on before does not excuse the fact that these filmmakers have abused their audiences. Any organization that can award a man for a one-note performance as an evil bastard, completely without nuance or insight (James Coburn's Oscar from the Academy) has no idea what constitutes great acting. Nolte plays Nolte, but not remarkably well. This is an offensive film - be warned. It's so depressing and hopeless you'll want to grab a rope and head for the attic.
Rating:
Summary: This movie was an incredible downer - piss poor
Review: This dark, meaningless movie was truly what the title suggests - an affliction for anyone who was masochistic enough to sit through the two hours of pain and suffering that it offers. There is no hero, only pathetic tragic characters stumbling through their meaningless existence. The theme appears to be that parents' alcoholism and cruelty condemn their children to life-long suffering and existences devoid of love and meaning. Perhaps this is true, but do we have to watch it? D-
Rating:
Summary: fantastic, memorable,brilliant
Review: This film, adapted from Russel Banks' bleak, brilliant novel, was 1998's best. The film is not lighthearted, it's not easy to swallow but it shows how one mans descent into madness can effect everyone he knows. Nick Nolte is a powerhouse and proves himself tenfold with his performance of Wade Whitehouse (he's finally left behind the days of "I Love Trouble" and Another 48 hrs.") Aside from the acting, the film is Paul Schrader's best. He directs this piece superbly finding only the best atmosphere to shoot and making these actors dig into their souls to find these performances. In short I enjoy this film and fell it has changed the face of cinema by establishing Nolte as one of the best actors in the business and has made a bleak, sad story challange the mind and ultimately provide the viewer with some truly tough material to trudge through.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Review: Contrary to the review I just read below, I think this is a wonderful film. Obviously, it isn't a "feel good" movie. But Schreder (sorry if it's misspelled) does an outstanding job on this film.. It is set in a memorable snow covered landscape that actually sets a great tone for the film. It works perfectly with the characters and storyline. Contrary to the below review (and Maltin's), this movie is very good in all aspects. Yes, it's basically a parade of misery, yes it is depressing. But it is a great film about the affliction of alcohol on a man, and how that affliction was eventually born out in his son Wade. At the same time Wade's brother lives completely in denial, going so far as to actually replacing poor excuses and lies for the truth about their childhood. Are they created by him or his father, it's hard to tell. But we see his pain too. Ultimatley, the film centers around Wade and his father, played by James Coburn. The movie centers around Wade's deterioration with his ex-wife, daughter, girlfriend, friends, and his ultimate paranoia. A surprising ending left me scratching my head (is this very realistic), but in the end I realized Wade's demons needed to be confronted in the only way he knew how (learned from his own abusive father). Nolte and Coburn's performances are as chilling and despair as the setting.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a Good Movie
Review: Nick Nolte was believable as an evil, deranged man, but the story itself wasn't as realistic. Doesn't anyone take responsiblity anymore? I don't care who has hurt you in the past, it doesn't mean it's okay for you to hurt others. Willem Dafoe's character was able to get past the abuse and become a productive member of society, yet he was pictured as a deserter. Also, as with most movies, it was loaded with editing errors, for example, most people don't start to drink a beer before taking off the cap. Oh, and by the way, New Hampshire doesn't usually have that much snow before November.
Rating:
Summary: Deeply Affected by the Deep "Affliction".....
Review: This review refers to the May 2003 release of Lion's Gate DVD edition of "Affliction".....1998 was a year when World War II films and English period pieces took center stage. But amidst those wonderful films,there was also "Affliction". An excellent film and brillant character study that may leave you thinking about it for days afterwards. A superb piece of filmamking. Artful direction and a beautiful screenplay by Paul Schrader(who also wrote the screenplays for "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull"), skillfully filmed by Paul Sarossy, and exquiste acting by a cast that includes, Nick Nolte, James Coburn, Sissy Spacek and Willem Dafoe make for one deep and moving drama. Dafoe captivatingly narrates this story of Wade Whitehouse(Nolte). A small town cop,whose past has a grip on him and won't let go. Wade who was raised by an alcoholic and abusive father(Coburn), now seems to be losing his own grip on reality as he tries to juggle his own dysfunctional life. He is in the midst of an investigation of an "accidental" hunting accident, he is trying (unsuccessfully) to mend his relationship with his young daughter, and trying to make some sort of life with his new girlfriend(Spacek). His past and his present come crashing down around him, as he examines his life and the bad memories are flooding back to him. Wade must try to break this cycle or live his life burdened with the chains of the past. Nolte turns in what may be the performance of his career and was honored by the Nat'l Society of Film Crtics, and The New York Film Critic's Circle Awards for Best Actor in his role. Coburn is also superb and recieved an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the abusive father. I highly recommend this film to anyone who appreciates fine filmaking and an excellent drama. This Lion's Gate DVD is an excellent transfer. The picture is sharp and clear and the colors vibrant. The sound is in Dolby Digital Stereo and is great for this film of almost all dialouge.
There are no bonus features, but it has subtitles in both English and Spanish and if you click on to the Lion's Gate logo in the main menu you will find some trailers as well. A not to be missed film for lovers of great cinema. Thanks and enjoy...Laurie
Rating: 
Summary: AFFLICTION!
Review: From director PAUL SCHRADER, the man who wrote the scripts for "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull," comes this POWERFUL DRAMA about VIOLENCE in the male world! Adapted from RUSSELL BANKS' novel "The Sweet Hearafter," this film features a couple of powerful performances by NICK NOLTE and JAMES COBURN (in his OSCAR winning role)! Nolte plays Wade Whitehouse, a small town cop whose life of failed relationships, hard drinking and repressed agression is about to EXPLODE! Coburn plays his ABUSIVE FATHER in a first-rate SUPPORTING CAST that includes Sissy Spacek, Willem Defoe and Jim True! The Nation's Film Critics picked Nolte as BEST ACTOR n 1998 in what is far and away is best performance. He might be an OVERLOOKED actor, but do not overlook this OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE!
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