Sommersby is a 1993 period drama film directed by Jon Amiel, starring Richard Gere, Jodie Foster and Bill Pullman. It is an American remake of the French film The Return of Martin Guerre (1982), which was based on a true story. The original story was set in 16th-century France. In Sommersby, it is transposed to Tennessee shortly after The American Civil War.
Laurel Sommersby (Foster) has lived alone in Vine Hill, Tennessee since her husband Jack left home six years ago to fight for the Confederacy. The American Civil War is over and a man claiming to be Jack (Gere) comes to Vine Hill. Everybody recognizes him, including Laurel. Progressively, doubts about his true identity arise.
Sommersby provides examples of:
- Adaptational Heroism: In The Return of Martin Guerre, during the trial, the impostor tries to convice everyone that he was Martin Guerre, because it is the only way to save his own skin. Only after he realizes he is doomed (because the real Martin Guerre shows up), he tells his alleged wife to recognize the real Martin Guerre as her husband to save herself. In this film, the impostor tries to convice everyone that he is Jack Sommersby, even if it means that he will be sentenced to death, because it will preserve Laurel's honor and because his son will not be considered as a bastard. Such self-sacrifice was not present in the original film.
- Adaptational Villainy: In The Return of Martin Guerre, Martin Guerre was an aloof husband, but he was not abusive. In this film, Jack Sommersby beat his wife and raped her when he was drunk. He also committed a murder.
- Adaptation Expansion: The murder committed by Jack has no equivalent in The Return of Martin Guerre.
- Adapted Out: The conflict between the protagonist and his alleged uncle plays a major role in The Return of Martin Guerre. The uncle does not feature here.
- Becoming the Mask: Gere's character really enjoys his role as Jack Sommersby. In particular, he falls in love with Jack's wife Laurel. In the end, he prefers being sentenced for a murder Jack Sommersby committed than recovering his true identity.
- Canon Foreigner: Orin, the romantic rival, did not exist in The Return of Martin Guerre.
- Clear My Name: Gere's character claims to be Jack Sommersby. The real Sommersby murdered a man, so Gere's character is charged with this crime. Subverted, because he prefers being sentenced for a murder he did not commit than recovering his true identity.
- Con Man: Horace Townsend is one. He claimed to be a teacher. He collected money to build a schoolhouse and got away with the money.
- Dead Person Impersonation: Gere's character impersonates Jack Sommersby, a guy who was jailed with him in the same cell.
- Death by Adaptation: Here, Jack Sommersby is dead before the film starts. In The Return of Martin Guerre, Martin Guerre is still alive. He shows up during the trial.
- Domestic Abuse: Jack Sommersby was an abusive husband. He beat his wife and raped her when he was drunk.
- Fake Identity Baggage: Horace Townsend impersonates Jack Sommersby, but then it turns out the real Sommersby committed a murder before he died, and the man who has taken his identity will hang for it.
- A Fool for a Client: When his counsel is going to prove his innocence, Gere's character dismisses his counsel and decides to represent himself. He wants to convince the judge and the jury that he is Jack Sommersby, even if it means that he will be sentenced to death. He achieves his ends.
- Foreign Remake: Based on the French film The Return of Martin Guerre (1982), which was based on a true story.
- Gambling Brawl: Jack Sommersby played cards with Conklin. Conklin accused him of cheating. In the subsequent fight, Jack shot Conklin down and Conklin stabbed Jack to death.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Gere's character prefers being sentenced for a murder Jack Sommersby committed than recovering his true identity, because it will preserve Laurel's honor and because his son will not be considered as a bastard.
- Imposter Forgot One Detail: Gere's character is quite good at impersonating Jack Sommersby, but some details are wrong: his feet are shorter, he reads Homer's works, he does not know that one of his friends is dead, and, more importantly, he is gentle to Laurel, while Sommersby was abusive.
- I Will Wait for You: Zig-zagged. Laurel has waited for her husband for six years and she has remained faithful to him, but by the time the movie starts, she is seriously considering marrying Orin. Moreover, when an impostor shows up, she accepts him as her husband, even if she quickly realizes that he is not Jack Sommersby.
- Law Procedural: The second part of the movie recounts the trial of Gere's character.
- Mammy: Esther is an older black servant who prepared dumplings for Jack Sommersby.
- Noble Confederate Soldier: Gere's character is a Confederate Army veteran and he is a loving husband and father. He is also nice to his former slaves. He even sells land to them. Subverted, because he is actually a deserter.
- Preferable Impersonator: Gere's character is a loving husband and father, while Jack Sommersby was an abusive husband. Therefore, Laurel falls for him.
- Romantic Runner-Up: Orin courts Laurel and Laurel seriously considers marrying him, but once Gere's character appears, she breaks up with him.
- Setting Update: The French film and the true story was set in 16th-century France. This film is set in Tennessee shortly after The American Civil War.
- Shoutout: Gere's character owns a copy of The Iliad. He reads it to Sommersby's son.
- Star-Crossed Lovers: Gere's character and Laurel. Gere's character is a loving husband and father, and Laurel falls for him, even if she knows that he is an impostor. Soon, Gere's character is arrested and he is executed for murder in the end.
- Stern Old Judge: Barry Conrad Issacs is an older black judge. He is stern too: he sentences Gere's character to death.
