Saturday, November 15, 2008

Sophie's Choice -The Movie's Pink House

Did you ever watch the 1982 movie "Sophie's Choice"? It is based on the novel by the same name by William Styron, and is one of the most hauntingly memorable movies I have ever seen. The screenplay, written by Alan J. Pakula, was superbly acted by Peter MacNicol , Meryl Streep, and Kevin Kline, all of whom you see from a scene from the movie above. Meryl Streep won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Sophie.

The synopsis of the movie from the IMDB web site:

"Sophie is the survivor of Nazi concentration camps, who has found a reason to live in 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"

When the movie begins the movie's narrator, Stingo (Peter MacNicol), is a young writer from the American South, who traveled to post-WW II New York City, where he rents a room in a all pink house in Brooklyn!

A better photo of the exterior pink of the house that you will see in the movie can be seen in this small photo below:


The set used for this scene, and a few others, was an actual house in the Victorian Flatbush area of Brooklyn, NY, an area about which I blogged about in a previous post.

The lines from the script as the landlady explains why the house is painted pink, both inside and out:

"I know... You're thinking about the pink. Everybody does. See, my late husband Saul, he's got his bargain. Hundreds and hundreds of gallons of this... navy surplus paint. See, I guess they didn't have any use for pink on those boats."

This is the actual house as it is now, re-painted white:


If you are a fan of Meryl Streep you must watch her performance in this film!

It is easy to see why she won the Oscar that year , and why she holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations of any actor!

To see more "Pink Saturday" posts please visit our gracious hostess Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound for the links of all those participating today!

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely post. Thanks for the recommendation about Sophie's Choice. I've never seen it before.

Paz

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat, yes I saw this film. What a choice to be forced to make.

Love that house- turret and a porch, what more could a girl want?

Vee said...

I adore Meryl Streep...she's an actress's actress.

And, though I have seen Sophie's Choice, I really would like to see it again. Thanks for jogging my memory.

Have a wonderful weekend, Pat!

Kathy said...

Pat, I think I have two favourites Meryl Streep and Judi Dench, I never got around to seeing this movie, but I will now on your recommendation, I think more movies are being made in New York than Hollywood these days or was that always the case?. Love the house.

Stephen is so looking forward to his trip to see us and especially his New Year in NYC with his friends. hugs, Kathy.

Happy Pink Saturday.

Nola said...

What a great post. That was a very touching movie. I remember seeing it, not having any idea what the subject matter was; I just like Meryl. I was so shocked and moved by the movie.
Actually, I kinda liked the house better when it was pink; it had lots of character!

Anonymous said...

Happy P.S.!

Just A Girl said...

Hi Pat,
I saw this movie but am embarrassed to say I didn't get it. I was 18 at the time and the only thing I remember was being totally lost on the story line and having the man behind me say in a loud voice, "be quiet!" Maybe I should go back and watch it again.
Have a fun pink weekend.
xo Cori

Unknown said...

I remember how sad this movie was, and how she really managed the accent so beautifully. What a great house too. Happy Pink Saturday. Karen

Linda Lou said...

One of my all time favorite films, and such a tearjerker, which is great every once in a while. I love old victorian homes. I would paint it light purple.

steviewren said...

Hi Pat, I hope you are feeling in the pink again yourself.

I saw part of Sophie's Choice on TV once. Streep was wonderful in the role, but I need to watch it again because I don't really remember the plot.

imjacobsmom said...

Okay, you've all convinced me - I have to see this movie! Have a Happy Pink Saturday! ~ Robyn

French Fancy... said...

hello there - I saw the thumbnail of your post on mama's blog and as I am such a Meryl fan I had to come and have a look. This film made me cry and cry - in fact most of her films have this effect on me. There is something so wonderful about her that it really touches me.

Thanks for the info about the pink house. What a beautiful building it is.

~*~Patty S said...

Thank you for revisiting that powerful movie along with MStreep's dazzling performance!
*Happy Pink Saturday*

Anonymous said...

Happy Pink Saturday, dear Pat. I hope you are feeling better. You have to be a healthy grandmother. ;-)

You probably know that I adore Meryl Streep, and I love this movie.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

That movie was great. And I love almost anything Meryl does. Great pink post!

Vylat said...

That was a marvelous movie. I enjoyed Sophie's Choice when it first came out. Meryl was the perfect Sophie. Enjoyed your post. I'm a movie fan too.

Gabriela said...

Happy Pink Saturday!

This is a lovely PINK post!

~ Gabriela ~

Anonymous said...

It must be so interesting to live in New York! One of my nieces lives there and works in Manhattan. I would really enjoy visiting again. I have not seen this movie, I'll need to see about renting it :0)
Have a great day...

Rue said...

Pat, to tell you the truth....
I turned it on one day by accident and only watched one scene and that was enough for me. I couldn't bare to watch anymore of it and it gave me nightmares for years. I'm probably really weird, huh? Dogs or children being hurt... can't do it LOL

I love that house though ;)

hugs,
rue

Unknown said...

Hi Pat,
I love Meryl Streep but haven't seen this one.

I may have to rent it now.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Betty said...

I remember Sophie's Choice as being so sad. I can't believe that I forgot about the pink house though! LOL
Happy pink Saturday!

Vintage To Chic said...

wonderful post but I am more excited about your first grand child, you are in for wonderful times ahead,
Hugs
Judy

Bo said...

Hi Pat...It was years later before I watched this intense movie...wow, if one wasn't a fan before of Meryl Streep's...this should have made one of it!!!
;-) Bo

Anonymous said...

I can just hear the words "Sophie's Choice" and it brings such a feeling of sandness to my heart. What a movie, and what an impact it had on so many. I cannot even imagine playing the part Meryl played, much less living in those times.

Dawn said...

Sobbed and sobbed....so sad, those times. Meryl is such a wonderfully talented actress, and a beautiful house. Happy PS!

Anonymous said...

What an interesting post and I plan to rent that movie. I have always loved Meryl. Happy Pink Saturday.

Picket said...

I have never seen this movie and I love Meryl Streep..that house is beautiful painted white....hope you are having a great weekend friend!

SmilingSally said...

She's one of my favorites! Happy Pink Day!

Anonymous said...

I don't think I ever saw that movie--gads, M.Streep was a baby!

And speaking of babies--on my, just three weeks! Are you gonna race out there as soon as the wee one arrives, or will you go on a scheduled date? We just got the word last night that we will be having another g.baby in JULY! The kiddos will be three yrs apart by then--we're thrilled.

Hope you're feeling a tad bit better by now! You gotta be well so you can smooch on that baby!
Take care! L, dana

Katie said...

What an interesting post today! Happy Pink Saturday!

Cottage Rose said...

Hey Pat. I love that Movie, I have seen it a couple of times, and if any one out there has not, you should it is a very good Movie. Happy Pink Saturday too. Love the pink house.

Have a great weekend.

Hugs;
Alaura

thank for the visit and the comment, please stop again...

Alexandra MacVean said...

I've not heard of this movie. =O I will definitely check it out. I have every weekend to myself!

*hugs*

Virginia said...

What a wonderful post...That movie was great.
Have a Happy and Bless weekend,
virginia

Joanne Kennedy said...

Oh this is such a good movie. I can never forget the part where she has to pick between her children. That had to be the hardest thing for a mother to do.

I'm not real close to the fires. Yet. I hear they are in Orange County now where I do live. I'm hoping they don't get any closer.

You can smell the smoke and there is ash everywhere. It's so sad.

Hugs,
Joanne

Vanessa Greenway said...

Wonderful post! Love the pinkness of that house! :) Vanessa

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat, I am a huge fan of Meryl Streep and I do remember this movie in great detail. It was a movie you can't forget. I didn't read the book used to write the script. I also did not remember the pink part. The house is gorgeous. Love this Pink post today.

Hugs...Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat
Yes I know the movie. I must watch it again. I would have left the house pink but then I love pink.
My husband and I are on our way to N.Y. for our 20th Anniversary I can't wait. Been there many times but I love it when all the Xmas decorations are up. I reserved a table for two in the Crystal Room at Tavern on the Green YAHOOOO
Oh and I love your blog!!!
Claudie from Canada
P.S. No my daughter is not a model, not at all.
I will pass on the compliment to her. She hasn't even seen the post yet.

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

That is such a cool house! I can't believe I've never seen that movie...but I don't think I have. I'll have to add it to the list:)

Nancy said...

Hi Pat - yes I did make my blog header - I love fooling around with that stuff! Of course I saw Sophie's Choice and read it too. Cried my eyes out. I'd forgotten about the pink house. Have a wonderful week. :)Nancy

Nihal said...

Pat carissima,
I just can not think of a movie world without Merly! One of the excellent character-actresses that movie industry has got. I saw this on tv, and still remember her great performance.
Oh today it's my day to spend quality time going to Movieplex here:) For more, wait my blogging pleez.
Have a happy pink weekend.

Hugs

Elizabeth said...

I enjoyed the book but never saw the movie!
Perhaps this will give me the push I need!
So exciting to hear about you coming grandchild.
I'm jealous.
My son is 30 and married........so here's hoping.

Alexandra MacVean said...

Wishing you a warm and peaceful Sunday! :) *hugs*

said...

Sophie's Choice is one of those movies that you just never forget. Thanks for posting about the house, very interesting.

Mo..."Mo's Cottage" said...

I saaw that movie years ago...I think it is time to rent it again....Meryl Streep is one of my favorites.....great post...
Mo :-)

GMG said...

Hi Pat! Sorry for the long delay in coming here, but the last two weeks were too hectic!
How I love it in white... ;))
Congrats on the award!
Great to re-visit Ground Zero. Hopefully there will be something new sooner rather than later...
Meanwhile Blogtrotter is back to Greece in November 2007! Hope you enjoy and have a great week!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I cry just THINKING of Meryl in that movie! And I didn't know that was a Flatbush house...I learn something new every day about NY on your blog. :-)

Kris said...

Hello Pat,
I will make sure to put this on my list of movies to watch in the coming winter months.

Happy PS

Kris

Fifi Flowers said...

Great PINK post! That movie is sooo disturbing... I can't get passed the part where she must choose between her children... that has given me nightmares. GOOD movie... heartwrenching.
Hope you had a great weekend!
Fifi

Unknown said...

Yes Pat, I remembered this movie..not so well, but I definitely do. This was the movie that made Meryl streep so famous. It's a lovely house too :D Hope you'll have a good week, big hugs :D

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

Hi Pat,
I need to see this movie again! Love Meryl Streep, so talented. What a neat looking house thanks for the great posting. Hope your cold is better.
Rhonda

. said...

Oh I've never seen that movie. Happy pink day. My computer was sick. Hugs Denise

Lara said...

what an interesting choice for the day! and I have to see that movie!

Anonymous said...

I was still a "kid" when this movie came out and I remember my very strict father saying that he had considered breaking his own "no rated R movies" rule to be able to go and see this movie. I wonder if he did? I've never seen it however. The house is lovely and Meryl is gorgeous! happy Pink Saturday!

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

You're contributions are amazing, Pat. I don't think I'll ever experience such a wonderfully lush trip to Italy as you all have provided today! Grazie y buona notte! Petra