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Sommersby

Play trailer Poster for Sommersby PG-13 1993 1h 52m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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63% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
A man returns to his home town after a lengthy absence spent fighting in the US Civil War. Although his apparent character transformation arouses his wife's and others' suspicions, everyone is delighted when his tobacco-growing scheme is profitable for the whole town. Just as he is settling into an idyllic routine with his family, he is accused of the murder of a man killed many years before.
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Sommersby

Sommersby

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Critics Consensus

Sommersby stumbles as a consistently compelling mystery, but typically solid work from Jodie Foster and Richard Gere fuels an engaging romance.

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Critics Reviews

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Edward Guthmann San Francisco Chronicle 01/11/2023
3/4
What sounded like an embarrassing blunder -- the romantic pairing of Richard Gere and Jodie Foster -- turns out to be surprisingly entertaining and persuasive. Go to Full Review
Adam Mars-Jones Independent (UK) 11/14/2017
His (Amiel's) direction is full-blooded and unafraid of sentiment, but he reins in the film's epic possibilities, which could easily have bogged things down. Go to Full Review
Vincent Canby New York Times 05/20/2003
3/5
Though there is a near vaccuum at the center of the film, Sommersby is never boring, largely because of Ms. Foster's beautifully self-possessed presence. Go to Full Review
Malcolm Johnson Hartford Courant 05/31/2018
Sommersby has everything to succeed. There's just one minor problem in this Americanized remake of The Return of Martin Guerre: Who can believe Richard Gere and Jodie Foster as a Tennessee Ashley and Scarlett? Go to Full Review
Susan Granger www.susangranger.com 12/27/2007
3/5
Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com 01/11/2007
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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Farah R @Farah Nov 28 Although Foster and Gere were fantastic in this period drama, the story is too unbelievable. Several implausible plot points were difficult to overlook, and the transition from a romance to a courtroom drama felt jarring. Furthermore, Jack Sommerby's sacrifice at the end of the movie didn't have the intended profound impact because it didn't feel like his only choice. See more matthias s 01/20/2024 "Somersby, a cinematic rollercoaster that leaves you torn between applause and yawns. The stellar cast delivers great acting, with performances that elevate the film despite its shortcomings. The plot, initially promising, meanders between captivating and downright boring. The courtroom sequence is a standout, a shining moment that makes you wish the entire movie had the same pulse-pounding energy. While the script fails to maintain its momentum, the film's saving grace lies in its excellent soundtrack, setting the mood with finesse. The ensemble cast does their best, but the lack of a compelling twist at the end leaves you feeling unsatisfied. Somersby is a cocktail of highs and lows, a good watch for those seeking a mix of great acting and courtroom drama, but be prepared for the occasional dip into the realm of boredom." See more John R 04/24/2023 Tonally, this movie was kind of all over the place. There are some interesting ideas, such as how much of our identity is based on who other people think or say we are and whether your good name is worth your life. On the whole though, this is the sort of movie you put on once and then never think about again. See more 02/06/2023 Good not great. Gere and Foster make it compelling enough for one man’s love and sacrifice. See more dan b 12/02/2022 Great plot, great acting, I loved it See more 11/22/2021 It's been a long time since I watched this, but it made an impact on me. Sad, emotional- he was trying to be the right person for once. See more Read all reviews
Sommersby

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Movie Info

Synopsis A man returns to his home town after a lengthy absence spent fighting in the US Civil War. Although his apparent character transformation arouses his wife's and others' suspicions, everyone is delighted when his tobacco-growing scheme is profitable for the whole town. Just as he is settling into an idyllic routine with his family, he is accused of the murder of a man killed many years before.
Director
Jon Amiel
Producer
Arnon Milchan, Steven Reuther
Screenwriter
Nicholas Meyer, Sarah Kernochan
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Canal+, New Regency Productions, Alcor Films
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 5, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$46.4M
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Surround
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