Review of Sophie's Choice (1982) by Jana C — 18 Nov 2011

Such a beautifully played film by all involved. Meryl Streep is nothing short of extraordinary - her ability with an accent alone probably won her the oscar. Kevin Kline is a revelation - miraculously flipping between pathos, comedy and tragedy scene by scene. "French Kiss" is almost forgiven.

The juxtaposition of the shocking, devastating concentration camp flashbacks with a new life in the Americas is masterful, and the inevitable tragedy evades melodrama. The closing lines, also the last lines in the novel, perfectly convey the vacuum we are left with where resolution will not come: "This was not judgement day â" only morning. Morning: excellent and fair". Humankind will live with the scars and echoes of events such as this forever.