Sommersby – Review

Sommersby is based on a real story, however the time period and war setting have changed. The Return of Martin Guerre is a real historical case of a Frenchman returned from war after 8 years to his wife, who then was suspected of impersonating the husband. Shifting this tale to the Civil War, John “Jack” Sommersby (Gere) is finally home after 6 years fighting the Yankees of the north.

He returns to his family farm and wife Laurel (Foster) in Tennessee, and is welcomed home by his family and surrounding land workers. He spent time imprisoned, and is a changed man, exhibiting some different character traits, however remembering many details and being a father to his son. Mostly, things seem to be going well, despite Laurel’s love interest from a neighbor, Orin Meacham (Pullman).

Jack doesn’t return home to only good times however, as the farm is running low on crops to sell, and resources in general. The family makes the best of it however, and raises some cash for a tobacco seeding which may bring some better crops. As he fits back into his life, some of his friends, and even Laurel begins to suspect that Jack may not actually be Jack.

Sommersby is an interesting drama and period tale. It is a bit slow, but brings up many interesting plot points, while dealing with life of the times and themes like family, racism, love and the law. While it may not blow your socks off, it is a well-done period drama with good actors and interesting situations. It leans a bit too into some of the romance and drama angles for my personal liking, but it’s not a bad film and since it is based on some historical ethical situations it does raise plenty to ponder.