"Sophie's Choice" is a 1982 American psychological drama film directed and written by Alan J. Pakula, adapted from William Styron's 1979 novel of the same name. The film stars Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline, and it tells the story of Sophie, a survivor of Nazi concentration camps, who finds a reason to live with Nathan, an American Jew obsessed with the Holocaust.
The film is known for its powerful performances, particularly that of Meryl Streep, who won an Oscar for her role. The story is set in the postwar period and explores themes of human instability, survival, and the impact of the Holocaust on its survivors. Despite some criticisms of the film's pacing and theatrical treatment, "Sophie's Choice" remains a memorable and emotionally impacting drama.
Plot
"Sophie's Choice" is a 1982 psychological drama film that tells the story of Sophie, a survivor of Nazi concentration camps, who finds a reason to live with Nathan, an American Jew obsessed with the Holocaust. The plot unfolds in two intertwined stories: the past and the present.
In the past, Sophie is a Polish Jew who, along with her children, is forced into the Auschwitz concentration camp. One night, a Nazi officer forces her to choose life for one child and death for the other. Despite her plea of "Don't make me choose. I can't choose," Sophie's words fall on deaf ears. She releases her daughter, Eva, to save her from death, and watches as the screaming child is carried away. Sophie's son, also named Nathan, is sent to the children's camp, while she is sent to Crematorium Two for death.
In the present, Sophie is living in the United States and meets Nathan, an American Jew who is obsessed with the Holocaust. They fall in love, and Sophie tells Nathan about her past, including the night she arrived at Auschwitz and the horrifying choices she had to make. The film explores themes of human instability, survival, and the impact of the Holocaust on its survivors.
Trailer
Cast
- Meryl Streep as Sophie Zawistowski
- Kevin Kline as Nathan Landau
- Peter MacNicol as Stingo
- Rita Karin as Yetta Zimmerman
- Stephen D. Newman as Larry Landau
- Greta Turken as Leslie Lapidus
- Josh Mostel as Morris Fink
- Marcell Rosenblatt as Astrid Weinstein
- Moishe Rosenfeld as Rabbi
- Robin Bartlett as Lillian Grossman
- Eugene Lipinski as Polish Professor
- John Rothman as Librarian
- Joseph Leon as Dr. Blackstock (voice)
- Cortez Nance Jr. as Bellboy
Director: Alan J. Pakula
Writer: Alan J. Pakula
Box Office Gross: $30,036,166
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Genre: Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 1982
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2015
Theme
"Sophie's Choice" is a psychological drama that explores themes of:
- Survival and its consequences
- Human instability
- The impact of the Holocaust on its survivors
- Love and forgiveness
Reception
The film received mixed reviews, with some critics praising the performances, particularly that of Meryl Streep, while others criticized the pacing and theatrical treatment.
Settings
The film is set in two main locations:
- Auschwitz concentration camp (past)
- United States (present)
Visual Styles
The film uses a mix of black and white and color to visually represent the past and present, respectively. The cinematography by Néstor Almendros contributes to the overall emotional impact of the film.
Techniques
The film employs various techniques to convey the intense emotions and psychological struggles of the characters, including:
- Close-ups on facial expressions
- High contrast lighting to emphasize emotions
- Slow motion shots to highlight key moments
Trivia
- The film is based on William Styron's 1979 novel of the same name.
- Meryl Streep won an Oscar for her role as Sophie Zawistowski.
- The film was directed by Alan J. Pakula, who also directed other notable films such as "The Godfather: Part II" and "Dick Tracy."
Fun Facts
- The film's title comes from a line in the novel, "Sophie's choice," which refers to the horrifying decision Sophie has to make in the concentration camp.
- The film was released in 1982, making it a significant historical drama during that time.
- The film has been included in various lists of influential movies, such as Criterion Collection and Turner Classic Movies.