Sommersby Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy comes back from war, maybe he’s the same guy, maybe he isn’t, but everyone pretends it’s fine because the town needed a makeover.

🍿 Sommersby: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Return

Set in the post-Civil War South, Laurel Sommersby is surprised when her husband, Jack, presumed dead, returns home after six years. He’s noticeably changed, displaying kindness and progressive ideas that contrast with his previous demeanor, which causes suspicion and intrigue within the community.

New Beginnings

Jack begins revitalizing the farm and introduces tobacco farming, sharing the land with freed slaves and white farmers alike, fostering a sense of community and prosperity. His relationship with Laurel blossoms as she falls in love with this new, improved version of her husband. However, doubts linger in Laurel’s mind, and some townspeople remain skeptical of his true identity.

Suspicion and Accusation

Growing tensions and suspicions about Jack’s identity escalate when he is accused of murder. The film shifts to a courtroom drama, where Jack must prove he is who he claims to be while also facing the charges against him. The trial becomes a battleground of identity, justice, and love.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jack Sommersby (Richard Gere): A Civil War veteran who returns home a changed man, sparking suspicion and transforming his community.
• Laurel Sommersby (Jodie Foster): Jack’s wife who grapples with the possibility that her husband is an imposter, while falling in love with his changed personality.
• Orin (Bill Pullman): A neighbor and suitor to Laurel, who becomes suspicious of Jack’s identity and harbors resentment.
• Reverend Powell (William Windom): The local reverend who represents the moral compass of the community and grapples with the unfolding mystery.
• Joseph (Frankie Faison): A freed slave who embraces Jack’s vision for the community, symbolizing the changing social dynamics.
• Dick Mead (R. Lee Ermey): A prejudiced Confederate veteran, who embodies the resistance to Jack’s progressive ideas.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Laurel Sommersby: “You are not Jack Sommersby, so why do you keep going on pretending that you are?” – Laurel confronts the man she believes is an impostor, questioning his motives and true identity.
• John Robert ‘Jack’ Sommersby: “How do you know I’m not?” – Jack challenges Laurel’s doubts, pushing her to confront her own uncertainty.
• John Robert ‘Jack’ Sommersby: “War changes you; makes you appreciate things.” – Jack explains the supposed transformation in his character, attributing it to his experiences during the Civil War.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $50,081,992
• Worldwide Gross: $140,081,992

💥 Sommersby Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed Sommersby. The suspense of not knowing if Jack was really Jack kept me hooked! I loved how the film looked at change. Richard Gere won me over, and Foster always delivers. The ending hit me hard. I am a fan of this historical romance. The movie had a solid story that was enjoyable with a great twist at the end!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in romance and mystery”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven stories”
  • “Fans of Richard Gere and Jodie Foster”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief sexual content”
  • “Themes of infidelity”
  • “Violence and the historical context of post-Civil War America”
  • “Thematic elements of injustice and capital punishment”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Sommersby offers a compelling narrative driven by strong performances from Gere and Foster. While the pacing occasionally lags, the film effectively explores themes of identity and redemption against the backdrop of post-Civil War America. The cinematography is impressive, capturing the beauty and hardship of the era.
• RogerEbert.com: “The film’s premise is intriguing, but the execution feels somewhat contrived. The courtroom drama stretches believability, yet Gere and Foster deliver nuanced performances that elevate the material. The exploration of community and change is relevant, even if the plot meanders.
• The New York Times: “The film is a well-intentioned but ultimately flawed adaptation of the Martin Guerre story. While the setting of the American South adds a unique dimension, the script lacks the depth to fully explore the complex themes of identity and social change. Foster and Gere offer commendable performances, but the overall impact is muted.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Richard Gere and Jodie Foster makes the movie a beautiful romance.: Viewers love the performances of the lead actors and the emotional depth of the story.

The Civil War setting provides a compelling backdrop for the themes of identity and change.: The historical setting is a very compelling landscape.

Overall Consensus: Sommersby is a well-acted drama with an intriguing premise, although some viewers find the plot contrived and the ending overly sentimental.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sommersby is a remake of the 1982 French film ‘The Return of Martin Guerre,’ which was based on a true story from 16th-century France.”
• “Filming took place in Lexington, Virginia, to capture the authentic feel of the post-Civil War South.”
• “The opening winter scene was filmed at Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort, West Virginia, providing a stark contrast to the warmer tones of the rest of the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Sommersby?

Sommersby is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Sommersby, you might like these similar films:

• The Return of Martin Guerre (1982): This is the original French film that Sommersby is based on, exploring the same themes of identity and imposture in a historical setting.
• Cold Mountain (2003): A Civil War drama centered around love and identity that explores similar themes of a soldier’s journey home and its profound effects on those he left behind.
• The Village (2004): Thematically related due to the theme of assumed identity in a rural context. It also investigates the notion of the hidden self, though in a less obvious form.

🛒 Sommersby Related Products

• The Return of Martin Guerre [Blu-ray]: Experience the original French film that inspired ‘Sommersby’, restored in stunning Blu-ray quality. This is a true story that will have you questioning identity and truth.
• Civil War Era Fashion Doll: This beautifully crafted doll, dressed in period-accurate attire, brings the fashion of the Civil War era to life. A must-have for collectors and history enthusiasts.
• Sommersby Movie Poster: Capture the essence of the film with this high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating any home theater or movie enthusiast’s space.
• Civil War Board Game: Engage in strategic battles and historical scenarios with this immersive board game set during the American Civil War. Challenge your friends and family in a test of tactical skill.

🎧 Soundtrack

Sommersby features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sommersby Main Titles” – performed by Danny Elfman
• “Laurel’s Theme” – performed by Danny Elfman
• “The Return” – performed by Danny Elfman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Edward Furlong At The Premiere Of Sommersby 1993)

Ever wondered what it was like at the ‘Sommersby’ premiere? Check out this quick interview with a young Edward Furlong! It’s a fun little time capsule and he seems so excited!

✨ Rate