Review of Affliction (2012) by Ian M — 03 Nov 2009

Very strong and personal drama. Nick Nolte is one of my favorite actors and he delivers a find performance as a small town sheriff struggling to keep his sanity after suffering from years of abuse from his father. His daughter and ex wife are scared of him, and the rest of the town finds him increasing unbearable to be around.

Incapable of handling responsibilities, Wade (Nolte) maintains his small job that doesn't require much of him, and he struggles to mend a dysfunctional relationship with his daughter while trying to control his old drunken father. The question is, how much can one troubled man take before he hits the boiling point?

This is one of my most favorite movies ever because I can relate to Nolte's character in his struggles in life and the way he grew up. Not because I had an abuse father, but alcoholism is a very terrible thing to see as a child and an adult. The ways of our parents often have a way of trickling down the line and not all of it's good of course. James Coburn gives an outstanding performance here. All of the vet actors really fit Paul Schrader dark and haunting script. It's not a film for everybody, but I can relate to it, and it spoke to me.