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Sommersby

1993·Movie
1h 49min·PG-13
55
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.3Metacritic66–Rotten Tomatoes63%59%
IMDb6.3Metacritic66–Rotten Tomatoes63%59%

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Sommersby fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Spectacle5
  • Fast Pace3

Heart

Romantic and moving

Much of it is about family.

  • Romance8
  • Pathos7
  • Hopefulness7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor3
  • Situational Comedy2

World

History, mystery, and family

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Ambiguity7

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Intrigue8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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You want fast pacing

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Suspense moviesBittersweet moviesRomantic moviesAtmospheric movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

She knew his face. His touch. His voice. She knew everything about him ... But the truth.

Set in the South just after the US Civil War, Laurel Sommersby is just managing to work the farm without her husband, believed killed in battle. By all accounts, Jack Sommersby was not a pleasant man, thus when he suddenly returns, Laurel has mixed emotions. It appears that Jack has changed a great deal, leading some people to believe that this is not actually Jack but an imposter. Laurel herself is unsure, but willing to take the man into her home, and perhaps later into her heart.
Post-Civil War SouthIdentity and DeceptionMystery and SuspenseRomantic DramaSocial CommentaryCharacter-DrivenHistorical SettingIntrigue

Crew

Directed by:
Jon Amiel, Josh McLaglen, Eva Z. Cabrera
Written by:
Nicholas Meyer, Jean-Claude Carrière, Sarah Kernochan
Produced by:
Richard Gere, Arnon Milchan, Suzanne Smith Crowley
Composed by:
Danny Elfman, Dan O'Connell, Chris Newman

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Sommersby

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Sommersby legally?

PrimeCriterionPlex

Sommersby is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free and Plex. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Sommersby worth watching?

55
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 55/100 (IMDb 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes 63%, and Metacritic 66). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Sommersby rated?

PG-13Violence

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is Sommersby?

1 h 49 min

Sommersby runs 1 h 49 min.

Is Sommersby based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Sommersby?

Critics65
Audiences61

Yes. Critics average 65 and audiences 61 out of 100, so both groups see Sommersby much the same way.

Was Sommersby a box office hit?

Budget$30 million
Box office$140 million

Yes. It cost about $30 million to make and earned $140 million worldwide, 4.7 times its budget.

What language is Sommersby in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in France, United States.

In how many countries can I watch Sommersby?

76ADARATAUBABEBGBOBRBZCACHCLCO+62

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Sommersby in 76 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Sommersby use?

Preferable ImpersonatorDomestic AbuseBecoming the MaskFake Identity BaggageCanon ForeignerA Fool for a ClientForeign RemakeStar-Crossed LoversGambling BrawlImposter Forgot One DetailDead Person ImpersonationNoble Confederate Soldierand 15 more

TV Tropes lists 27 storytelling tropes for Sommersby, including Preferable Impersonator, Domestic Abuse, Becoming the Mask.