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Sophie's Choice (film)

Sophie's Choice is a 1982 American psychological drama film written and directed by Alan J.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sophie's Choice is a 1982 American psychological drama film written and directed by Alan J. Pakula, adapted from William Styron's 1979 novel of the same name. It stars Meryl Streep as Sophie Zawistowska, a Polish immigrant in postwar Brooklyn, with Kevin Kline and Peter MacNicol in supporting roles. The film was well received and earned Streep the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Plot

The story centres on Stingo, a young writer who befriends Sophie and her volatile lover Nathan in postwar Brooklyn. Through Sophie’s recollections, the film reveals her traumatic wartime past and the long shadow it casts over her present life.

Production

Alan J. Pakula both wrote and directed the film, adapting Styron’s novel for the screen. The cast includes Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline in his feature-film debut, and Peter MacNicol.

Release and reception

Sophie's Choice premiered in Los Angeles on December 8, 1982, and was released theatrically by Universal Pictures on December 10, 1982. It received positive reviews and grossed about $30 million at the box office.

Awards

At the 55th Academy Awards, the film received five nominations. Meryl Streep won Best Actress, while the film was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Score.

Key facts

  • The film is based on William Styron's 1979 novel.
  • It follows Sophie Zawistowska, a Holocaust survivor living in Brooklyn after World War II.
  • Meryl Streep plays the title role; Kevin Kline and Peter MacNicol also star.
  • The film premiered in Los Angeles on December 8, 1982, and was released theatrically on December 10, 1982.
  • Meryl Streep won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.
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Canadian context

The film has been widely distributed and studied in Canada as a major English-language adaptation of a canonical 20th-century novel, and it remains part of film and literature curricula and retrospectives relevant to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sophie's Choice based on a book?
Yes. It is adapted from William Styron's 1979 novel of the same name.
Who directed Sophie's Choice?
Alan J. Pakula directed and wrote the film.
Who plays Sophie?
Meryl Streep plays Zofia "Sophie" Zawistowska.
When was the film released?
It premiered in Los Angeles on December 8, 1982, and opened theatrically on December 10, 1982.
Did the film win any major awards?
Yes. Meryl Streep won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
What genre is the film?
It is generally classified as a psychological drama.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie's_Choice_(film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, release dates, adaptation, awards, box office, and general film overview
  2. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sophies-choice-1982
    Supports: Plot overview and film context
  3. Turner Classic Movies — https://www.tcm.com/articles/afi-top-100/203344/sophie-s-choice-1982
    Supports: Cast, runtime, and film identification
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sophies-Choice-film-by-Pakula
    Supports: Film identification and authorship
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sophies_choice
    Supports: Genre, release date, runtime, and synopsis