Genres: Drama | Romance | Thriller Countries: France | Germany | USA Actors: Anthony Hopkins Coleman Silk Nicole Kidman Faunia Farley Ed Harris Lester Farley Gary Sinise Nathan Zuckerman Wentworth Miller Young Coleman Silk Jacinda Barrett Steena Paulsson Harry J. Lennix Mr. Silk Clark Gregg Nelson Primus Anna Deavere Smith Mrs. Silk Lizan Mitchell Ernestine Kerry Washington Ellie Phyllis Newman Iris Silk Margo Martindale Psychologist Ron Canada Herb Kebble Mili Avital Young Iris Directors: Robert Benton IMDB Rating: 6 out of 10 (9836 votes)

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Two fine actors – Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins – try to generate a little sexual chemistry in “The Human Stain,” directed by Robert Benton and based on the Philip Roth novel.

Adapted from Pulitzer Prize-winner Roth’s critically acclaimed work, “The Human Stain” is the emotionally wrenching story of Professor Coleman Silk (Hopkins), a tormented man who lives in a self-imposed state of denial. After decades of teaching, Silk makes an unfortunate comment that’s taken as a racial slur. Forced from his job by the powers that be, a lonely and dejected Silk turns to writer Nathan Zuckerman (Gary Sinise) for help with a novel. A companionable relationship quickly forms between the two men, with Silk opening up far more with Zuckerman than with most of the people he’s encountered in his life. Yet the one big secret he fights to protect stays concealed, even from this man who becomes his closest friend and confidante.

Silk’s world is further knocked off-kilter when he becomes involved in a tumultuous relationship with the much younger Faunia (Nicole Kidman). Faunia’s left behind her abusive stepfather, escaped a vicious marriage, and had loved ones ripped from her in tragic circumstances. Beat down by life, she takes menial jobs and doesn’t expect much good fortune to cross her path. When her car breaks down for the umpteenth time, the stranded Faunia hitches a ride with Coleman Silk, a chance meeting that leads to a life-altering affair for both parties.

Even glammed down, Nicole Kidman’s beauty is a distraction in her role as a vagabond janitor whose life is full of heartbreak and misery. When her character first meets Anthony Hopkins’ character and after speaking with him for a total of five minutes, she invites him into her rented room and is found lying naked waiting for him after his initial declination of the offer, an audible groan escaped me. She’s Nicole Kidman for God’s sake and you can’t try and pass off Nicole Kidman as the sexual aggressor in a relationship with the much-older Anthony Hopkins. At least not in this case.

I admire Kidman. She makes brave choices and is phenomenal in unexpected ways, but with “The Human Stain,” it’s a perfect case of the part not fitting the actress. I could never get out of my head that that was the actress Nicole Kidman up there. That’s never happened to me when watching Kidman in any other film. But this role wasn’t meant for someone as refined and classy-looking as this Academy Award-winning actress.

Anthony Hopkins is at his best as the professor who hides a secret for most of his adult life. Hopkins’ mixes intelligence, charm, and sorrow and comes up with yet another memorable character to add to his already long list of credits.

Working opposite Anthony Hopkins must be a daunting task for any actor. Gary Sinise shares most of his screen time with Hopkins and manages to grab scene after scene. Sinise gives the film it’s human touch, providing the one character audience members can relate to and empathize with.

The film is saturated in gray tones and neutral colors, adding another layer to the overwhelming feeling of depression that lingers throughout every frame. Kidman, Hopkins, and Sinise cannot be faulted for the film’s failure to connect. The story is not readily accessible to audiences, and the final product leaves you feeling empty.

Rebecca Murray
Hollywood Movies Guide

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