The Human Stain
The Human Stain Image
Metascore
57 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 39 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Gary Sinise, Nicole Kidman
  • Summary: The story of Coleman Silk (Hopkins), a distinguished professor at a prestigious New England college whose professional life is shattered by allegations of racism and whose personal life is infected with cancer of a lie he has been living with for fifty years. (Miramax)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 39
  3. Negative: 2 out of 39
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    Most movie characters are like Greek gods and comic book heroes: We learn their roles and powers at the beginning of the story, and they never change. Here are complex, troubled, flawed people, brave enough to breathe deeply and take one more risk with their lives.
  2. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Mark Sells
    80
    Each scene is enticing, draws you in, and tackles the verbal foreplay from the book nicely.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Alan Morrison
    60
    Performances are good but not career best.
  4. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    38
    It's problematic enough that the movie's lead characters are unlikable. But worse is the blackening of The Human Stain with a trite and forced plot, uninteresting digressions and clunky direction.

See all 39 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 6 out of 19
  1. FrankO
    8
    This movie had surprising depth that I was not prepared for. Although the casting did seem out of place, I enjoyed the storyline, especially Silk's dilemma regarding his family and passing as white. It was a surprise twist in the film and well worth the wait.… Expand
  2. JoeS.
    8
    Kidman and especially Ed Harris deliver world-class acting. Wanna see true acting skill? Watch Harris in this movie. The cinematography almost pulls your heart out of your chest. The music -- especially at the end -- is very effective. Somehow this movie really has an emotional effect, even though the story itself is not that engaging.… Expand
  3. TonyB.
    6
    This is an interesting story told in a more than satisfactory way. Its structure, especially its use of flashbacks, is very effective. There are a number of solid ideas here that are developed in a way that assumes the audience watching the film has the intelligence to appreciate them. The acting is first rate, as expected with this cast, but it's hard to believe that the Anthony Hopkins character is not Caucasian.… Expand

See all 19 User Reviews

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