Cultural critic David Kepesh finds his life -- which he indicates is a state of "emancipated manhood" -- thrown into tragic disarray by Consuela Castillo, a well-mannered student who awakens a sense of sexual possessiveness in her teacher.
Acting
Cruz's controlled fire against Kingsley's crumbling intellectual arrogance.
Cinematography
Every frame looks like a lonely Edward Hopper painting at golden hour.
Writing
Philip Roth adaptation that keeps his cruel psychological precision intact.
Director
Isabel Coixet
Penélope Cruz
Consuela Castillo
Ben Kingsley
David Kepesh
Patricia Clarkson
Carolyn
Peter Sarsgaard
Kenneth Kepesh
Dennis Hopper
George O'Hearn
Sonja Bennett
Beth
Chelah Horsdal
Susan Reese
Shaker Paleja
Kris Banjee
Charlie Rose
Charlie Rose
Kris Pope
Consuela's Brother
Debbie Harry
Amy O'Hearn
Antonio Cupo
Younger Man
Michelle Harrison
2nd Student
Marci T. House
Administration Nurse
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Isabel Coixet specifically chose to shoot Consuela's nude scenes with female gaze techniques—unusual for 2008—making David's possessive photography within the film a meta-commentary on male directors.
US
