Review of Sophie's Choice (1982) by Christopher P — 25 Jul 2008

This is riviting and powerful drama anchored by a phenomenal performance by Meryl Streep. I only say phenomenal because I can't think of a word to accurately discribe how good she is. Lets just say she's convinced me that she's about the greatest living actress.

But back to the story. Sophie is a Polish immigrant who survived the inhumane Auschwitz concentration camp. She came to America with many, many souvenir diseases from her time in the concentration camp.

She is rescued by Nathan (a surprisingly good Kevin Kline) who then becomes her lover. The story is told through the eyes of Stingo, a southern man who moved to Brooklyn to become a writer and befriends the eccentric couple.

As he gets closer and closer to them, he learns more and more of their secrets and their pasts. This is a beautiful, harrowing, and tragic story. I sure the title could refer to many things in the story.

I took it as a reference to an event that Sophie describes toward the end of the film. Meryl is a wonder to behold here. She completely becomes Sophie and perfects he Polish accent. I don't know if i've ever heard a better fake accent in my life.

It was perfect. There wasn't a second where she wasn't Sophie, where she didn't nail every word and mannerism of this woman. It is a remarkable performance that blew me away. The end of this film left me with a feeling of utter tragedy.

As though I had loved and lost. That's how powerful this film is.