Director Robert Benton brings Philip Roth's 2000 novel THE HUMAN STAIN to the screen in this lavish production, with expert cinematography from Jean-Yves Escoffier. Coleman Silk (Anthony Hopkins) is a light-skinned African-American college professor who has kept his true racial identity secret for the majority of his life. His career comes to a sudden halt when he makes a comment that is misinterpreted as a racial slur. Soon after he is fired, Silk hooks up with young Faunia Farely (Nicole Kidman), a local janitor. The affair with Farely, who is almost half Silk's age, becomes small-town gossip, and attracts the attention of Farely's psychotic ex-husband, Lester (Ed Harris). As Lester seeks vengeance, still angry at his ex-wife, Silk must make some tough decisions about his affair with Farely, leading to the film's nail-biting conclusion.

Benton draws incredibly convincing performances from his two lead actors. Hopkins ably transcends his Caucasian ethnicity to play an African American. And Kidman fully embraces her character as a downtrodden janitor who is determined to rise beyond her humble beginnings. The two actors conquer the difficult subject matter, offering fascinating commentary on racial mores and relationship issues.

Theatrical Release: October 31, 2003 (NY/LA)

Director of Photography Jean-Yves Escoffier died in early 2003 from heart failure. THE HUMAN STAIN was his last film.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33

Distributor Notes: The Human Stain

Academy Award(R) winners Anthony Hopkins (1991 Best Actor, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS) and Nicole Kidman (2002 Best Actress, THE HOURS) along with Gary Sinise (FORREST GUMP) and Ed Harris (THE HOURS) star in the provocative mystery THE HUMAN STAIN. Coleman Silk (Hopkins) has a secret. A terrible 50-year-old secret that the esteemed college professor has kept hidden from everyone ? including his wife, his children, and his down-and-out young lover (Kidman) ? and it's about to ruin his entire life.

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Nicole Kidman: Actress, TO DIE FOR
Anthony Hopkins: Welsh Actor
Gary Sinese: actor
Ed Harris: American Actor/Director
Wentworth Miller: American actor, PRISON BREAK, DINOTOPIA
Jacinda Barrett: 

Robert Benton: American director/screenwriter

Tom Rosenberg: 
Gary Lucchesi: Producer
Scott Steindorff: Producer, THE HUMAN STAIN (2003)

Nicholas Meyers: Editor - "The Boys"

Rachel Portman: Composer

"...The filmmakers explicate Mr. Roth's themes with admirable clarity and care and observe his characters with delicate fondness..."
"...There's a real conviction in these performances..."
"Both risky and tender."
"...It's the flashes of dramatic lightning that make it a trip worth taking..."
"[With] restrained and disciplined playing by Anthony Hopkins and Wentworth Miller..."
"[A]mbitious and fascinating..."