Stingo

We need to talk about how we get there in the film because Sophie's Choice, lowercase C on choice, her choice, the choice of Sophie, is about one minute of this film's two and a half hour runtime.

We have our narrator, our protagonist through which we learn other people's stories, Stingo, played by Peter McNichol.

Peter McNichol does a great job, but oh my God, I hate Stingo.

When Sophie first meets him, she thinks his name is Stinko.

It should be.

This makes him, like, a little bit of a novelty to other people living in this boarding house that he moves into.

Upon moving in, he meets the incredibly aggressive Nathan, played by Kevin Kline, who is abusive towards Sophie, aka Meryl Streep.

Stingo pretty quickly forgives that abuse to become best buds with the couple.

Sophie's Choice, directed by Alan J. Pakula and based on William Styron's novel, is a poignant exploration of human suffering and the complexities of love and memory.

Set in post-World War II Brooklyn, the film follows Sophie Zawistowska, played by Meryl Streep, a Polish Catholic survivor of Auschwitz, as she attempts to rebuild her life alongside her volatile lover Nathan, played by Kevin Kline, and their friend Stingo, played by Peter McNichol, a young aspiring writer from the South.

The narrative unfolds through the eyes of Stingo, who becomes enamoured with the enigmatic Sophie and the charismatic yet unstable Nathan.

As the trio's lives intertwine, the film delves into Sophie's haunting past through a series of flashbacks, revealing the harrowing choices she was forced to make during the Holocaust.

These memories are not just a backdrop, but a central element that shapes the characters' present lives and relationships.

Kevin Kline, in his film debut, delivers a compelling performance as Nathan, a man whose charm is overshadowed by his obsession with the Holocaust and his own mental instability.

Kline's portrayal of Nathan's manic energy and unpredictable behaviour adds a layer of tension to the film, highlighting the fragility of the characters' relationships.

Peter McNichol's Stingo serves as the audience's guide through this emotional journey, his innocence and curiosity providing a stark contrast to the darkness of Sophie's past.