in 1989 russell banks' 'affliction' was published. this chilling novel takes place in a very cold and snowy town. years after reading it, the memory of this book will still chill the bones. russell's book begins, 'this is the story of my older brother's strange criminal behavior and his disappearance.'
when is a book better than the film it is based on? almost always. when is the film as good as the book?
nick nolte plays 'wade whitehouse' the older brother to narrator willem defoe's 'rolfe.' brawley (great name) nolte, nick's real life son, plays young wade. sissy spacek is the waitress with a heart of gold.
paul schrader directed this upsetting film based on an upsetting book. i am very squeamish when it comes to observing physical pain and 'wade' does self extract a bad tooth. however, nick nolte's performance wins every piece in the candy drawer that my childhood dentist's secretary opened each time i completed my checkup.
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