Sophie's Choice
Directed by Alan J. PakulaSophie is the survivor of Nazi concentration camps, who has found a reason to live with Nathan, a sparkling if unsteady American Jew obsessed with the Holocaust. They befriend Stingo, the movie's narrator, a young American writer new to New York City. But the happiness of Sophie and Nathan is endangered by her ghosts and his obsessions.
- Charles LondonMay 26, 2025A superbly-acted film that is absorbing, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. It utterly captivated me from the opening scene until its powerful ending. And to think, I avoided it all these years believing it to be a melodrama. Boy, was I wrong. The deeply-affecting plot, though extraordinary, has genuine intentions. Neither the story, nor the actors, go over the top and by the end of the movie....your tears will be real. BTW: Meryl Streep's performance has been heralded by some as the single greatest by an actress, all time. I cannot argue that.
- Eric BakkeJanuary 27, 2025If you're in the mood for a fairly heavy, emotionally draining experience, Sophie's Choice might be your go-to for an evening full of guilt, grief, and heartache. The flashback sequences, though brief, are utterly captivating. Unfortunately, the rest of the film, which focuses on the present day, doesn’t quite maintain that same level of gripping intensity. The pace slows down considerably, and some of the narrative feels a little drawn-out or less focused, especially when compared to the harrowing flashbacks. But despite these lulls, Meryl Streep is simply incredible, capturing the emotional depth of Sophie’s character—her guilt, her trauma, and her so very sad attempts at moving forward. Her portrayal is what makes the movie worth watching, even when the story itself feels like it loses some steam.
Sophie's Choice Trivia
Sophie's Choice was released on December 10, 1982.
Sophie's Choice was directed by Alan J. Pakula.
Sophie's Choice has a runtime of 2h 31m.
Sophie's Choice was produced by Keith Barish, Alan J. Pakula.
Sophie is the survivor of Nazi concentration camps, who has found a reason to live with Nathan, a sparkling if unsteady American Jew obsessed with the Holocaust. They befriend Stingo, the movie's narrator, a young American writer new to New York City. But the happiness of Sophie and Nathan is endangered by her ghosts and his obsessions.
The key characters in Sophie's Choice are Zofia "Sophie" Zawistowski (Meryl Streep), Nathan Landau (Kevin Kline), Stingo (Peter MacNicol).
Sophie's Choice is rated R.
Sophie's Choice is a Drama, Romance, War film.
Sophie's Choice has an audience rating of 8.5 out of 10.
Sophie's Choice had a budget of $12M.
Sophie's Choice has made $30M at the box office.