Opened: December 10, 1982

Directed by: Alan J. Pakula

Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Peter MacNicol, Greta Turken, Rita Karirn, Stephen D. Newman, Josh Mostel & Josef Sommer

Though it may feel slow, Sophie’s Choice is a harrowing drama featuring a beautifully damaged performance by Meryl Streep.

Southern writer Stingo (Peter MacNicol) moves to a boarding house in Brooklyn where he befriends housemates Sophie (Streep) and Nathan (Kevin Kline). When Nathan becomes violent toward Sophie, Stingo intervenes leading to Sophie reflecting on her past as an Auschwitz survivor.

Streep is almost unrecognizable as Sophie and expertly adopts her Polish accent. Sophie’s story – both past and present – is discomforting, but Streep handles the drama with subtlety. Kline – in his first feature film – also finds a perfect balance in Nathan’s romantic and destructive sides.

The juxtaposition between the beauty of Brooklyn and the horror of Auschwitz allows you to fall in deeper with Streep’s character, whom you will feel protective over.

Final say: Gut-wrenching with superb acting. ★★★★☆