Passionately acted film about a man who returns from the Civil War a very different person, and is soon suspected of being an impostor. Richard Gere, Jodie Foster and Bill Pullman all give strong performances in a film highlighted by Phillippe Rousselot's marvelous cinematography (he won an Academy Award for his work on "A River Runs Through It").But for all its intrigue and mystery, very well handled by director Jon Amiel, the climax may well baffle some. One has to wonder what motivates a man to act in such a way. Perhaps he was looking to atone for his past. A moving and worthwhile drama.Sunday, June 27, 1993 - Village Centre Melbourne

American remake of 1982's "Le Retour de Martin Guerre" has post-Civil War era woman in Tennessee greeted by her soldier husband, missing for six years; he gets a hero's welcome from the townspeople and rallies many of them to invest in growing tobacco on his land, yet his wife and her ex-fiancé (and the family pooch!) know something about this man they are hesitant to share. Gauzy, initially perplexing period drama with very modern leads Richard Gere and Jodie Foster curiously placed within this scenario (both give solid performances, though they aren't exceptionally convincing in Civil War dress). It does improve after a stilted start, and all might be forgiven if the last act had some punch, but a murder rap and a courtroom showdown turns Gere's character into a misty-eyed martyr, and director Jon Amiel doggedly steers the film toward a disastrously unsatisfying climax. **1/2 from ****

Great film - really enjoyed the twist - was Gere the killer?Sommersby might be considered a woman's flick. Well, so be it and more power to it. Go ahead and be ready to laugh, and also to tear up over some of the scenes. This is a well-acted, well directed, and enjoyable film in the solid time- honored tradition of totally watchable Grade B movies. Some of the characters portrayed are people a viewer can get to know for a few hours and really sympathize with. Other's behavior you can get mad at. You might even want to express a little outrage at some behavior portrayed. Enjoy it. The film has its flaws, but for the most part is one the sensitive and discerning viewer can see more that once and be happier with than much of the real trivial tripe that passes for film these days. And to be perfectly honest, it's better than the book.

This is another one of my favorite Richard Gere movies, this guy is one gifted actor.This movie is mainly about character study and the love between the two leads Jack Sommersby(Richard Gere)and his wife Laurel(Jodie Foster).Jack Sommersby comes back from the Civil War seeming to be a changed man(for the better). All the neighbors and especially Laurel want the change to be real, so they just believe it whether it's true or not. Lets face it most people have probably at one time or another done the same thing, I know I have.Later Jack is arrested for murder and the real question is asked. Is he or is he not Jack Sommersby?The love that Jack(Richard)and Laurel(Jodie)have for each other is very important because it comes into play during the trial and at the ending of the movie. The ending of this movie was the only proper way to end it for the characters involved.Richard Gere is a master when it comes to showing tenderness, sensitivity and compassion on screen. It was good to see these two actors Jodie Foster and Richard Gere playing the lead rolls, they complemented each other.This is a beautifully written love story and a real tear jerker. I rate this movie a 10.