In spite of some fantastic acting, Affliction is a plodding and unpleasantly heavy-handed film about the son of an abusive father who is trying to cope with his failing personal life while tracking down the culprit in what he believes to be a murder conspiracy. Nick Nolte turns in one of his best performances ever, but it's wasted in a movie with little else to offer. The movie is all message; it lacks the eloquence and entertainment value that would make us want to listen.