Affliction

Superbly performed, intense drama which, like all of Schrader's work, expertly charts the spectacular fall from grace into destruction by 'macho' men, in this case Nolte and Coburn, who both give the performances of their respective careers. Where the film falls somewhat is when it moves outside the complex relationship between these men; Spacek is good but given little to do, and Dafoe's appearance (and narration) are jarringly surplus to requirements. Still a quietly rewarding drama.

I guess the title was a hint that this was not going to be a barrel of laughs - there's not even a suggestion of redemption. The acting is great, and this tackles an important subject: the devastation wrought by alcoholism. Powerful.

Emotional drama about a man afflicted by a bad childhood. It's engaging and well acted but it doesn't really last beyond the film.

Deeply depressing and soaked with dread, there's no good in this and it only progressively becomes harder and harder to watch as you slowly realise there will hardly be any relief

Not exactly a lighthearted film. In fact it's almost difficult to watch. There is so much pain in this film. Every actor in this is at the top of their game, though, and it's well worth watching for the great performances.

I had to turn off this dreary underwhelming crap after 20 minutes. I can watch slow-burning films but goddamn if this wasn't dragging to the point where I couldn't care anymore

AFFLICTION is a worthwhile drama, but lacks the focus needed to ever make it emotionally compelling.

Dark and bleak, the "kick-ass" performances, especially Nolte's "effective" portrayal of an abused soul, is the reason to see this film.

Affliction's screenplay is good enough to hint at the deep-seated psychological scarring inflicted upon children of an abusive household and the talented cast certainly helps bring out pathos. But Schrader's generally assured but occasionally leaden direction, lacks a certain spark.

thank god for paul schrader.

Pretty good drama. A little unfocused. Nolte is solid.

Solid drama but hard to watch. All the actors are good, with Coburn stealing the show.

Affliction depicts the rather harrowing decline of Wade Whitehouse, an abused middle aged ticking time bomb destined to explode. He is superbly portrayed by Nolte in an arguably career best performance. We can sense his frustration and the depressing futility of his resistance against his family's tragic legacy of violence. Coburn is equally good as his abusive father, but the narration is obtrusive and the murder-conspiracy subplot (i.e. as redemptive fantasy) is only partially convincing.

Excellent direction and screenplay from Paul Schader make these superb performances by Nick Nolte, Sissy Spacek possible. Not to mention James Coburn, who is marvelous as Nolte's old man and gives what is--with the possible exception of Pat Garrett--the best performance of his career.

Harsh Tale

85.000

Top badass moment? Everyone's miserable! James Coburn just gets drunk and throws his not inconsiderable weight around as he not got a horse to ride; Sissy Spacek basically gives up as she’s lost the telekinetic powers she had as a child; Willem Dafoe looks resigned to a life without a surfboard that flies and shoots missiles at superheroes; and Nick Nolte is just pissed as he’s found out he’s from a place that Bowling for Soup have written a song about. No cats, chainsaws or decapitations.

very uneven pacing

find difficulty in rating dramas since they really aren't my thing & i tend to get caught up in them quite easily. I thought the narration was heavy handed (as well as the flashbacks) and the acting excellent. While this may bring to the forefront a problem somewhat unconsidered, the framework makes the morality feel stilted, particularly when the environment seems to indicate this couldn't happen just anywhere. Causes me to be over analytical.

"Subtle performances from Nolte and Coburn combine to make this one of Shrader's best."

Temporada de Caça estreava há 25 anos no Festival de Veneza. O que faz esse filme tão brilhante é a narração do Dafoe, ele é o ponto de alívio e racionalidade numa família erigida pela masculinidade tóxica. É um dos grandes ensaios narrativos do peso do patriarcado na saúde mental de todos. WEBRip no MakingOff.

81.500

Solid drama, but could have done without the narration

Nolte and Coburn rock this. Absolutely terrifying individuals headed for a downward spiral. Unfortunately, most everything else about the film is mediocre. Dafoe is misplaced and his narration is BAD.