Review of The Human Stain on Filmviews.net
Year2003 ReviewerChris Docker
Political correctness in the late nineties, originally devised as a way of protecting minorities, became a weapon that those minorities could sometimes use against anyone, without the slightest reference to fact or justice.
This is what happens in The Human Stain. The stage is set by undergraduates on campus discussing the sanctimoniousness of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, before moving on to examine this ‘persecuting spirit' in issues of race, gender, class and education levels. Anthony Hopkins plays Coleman Silk, a classics professor who makes an untoward comment about absent students, asking if anyone has seen them or if they are ‘spooks'. As he's never seen them (they've not come to class once) he's unaware that they also happen to be black. Whilst he clearly used the word spooks as meaning ghosts, he is accused of using a racist epithet and forced to resign. He later begins an affair with a much younger woman (Nicole Kidman). Although she is uneducated and very working class, they bring much joy into each other's life. He finds someone who can challenge his ideas because of her (harsh) life experience and she finds someone who cares about her without abusing or belittling her. The relationship brings even more disdain piling down on the unfortunate Coleman Silk.
The Human Stain develops the injustices of such a situation and the human misery that people righteously inflict on each other. It is bleak, bitter and depressing, as well as requiring much concentration to follow the ideas. A worthwhile movie, but enjoyable is hardly the word that comes to mind. Given the importance of the themes, it maybe deserved a more compelling treatment.
Rating: 8/10;