Director Lynne Littman has created an effective, understated portrayal of the cost of a nuclear war in human terms, in a film as far removed from the fake hyperbole of action and disaster movies as the natural world is from cartoons. Set in the small California town of Hamlin, the Wetherly family and their everyday concerns open the story. The trivia that fills their secure, ordinary existence disappears when a TV show is interrupted with the announcement that nuclear bombs have exploded in the
major cities on the East Coast, and then the entire scene is erased in an increasingly white, blank movie screen -- meant to show that nuclear blasts have been detonated in California as well. Over 1000 people die in the first month from radiation sickness, but the mother in the Wetherly family (Jane Alexander) displays great inner strength as she cares for orphaned children the family has taken under its wing and goes on sustaining those that remain in her own family. At one point, she quietly conveys to her daughter the happiness of intimacy between two adults, knowing her daughter will not live to experience adult love. As these individuals and the children cope with day-to-day existence, there is never any intrusion of overt horrors, the focus remains on the individuals and the way in which they adjust to the inevitable. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
Powerful depiction of the psychological terror that grips a California community after New York and other cities in the East are destroyed by nuclear bombs.
A bleak, uncompromising look at the after-effects of a nuclear attack. The small scale makes the tragic story the more intimate and personal. A touching experience.
Very understated drama about the aftermath of a nuclear war. This film is the direct opposite of The Day After and has no flashy special effects, no explosions, scenes of mass devastation and so on. Instead the focus is on an American suburban family which has to contend with the inevitable effects of World War
III.Testament shows very effectively the possible reality of what would have happened to any small town in America if a nuclear attack had happened in the early eighties. Jane Alexander does a great job as the mother trying to keep her family together during the beginning of the end. I would recommend this movie for the serious movie watcher who is looking for more substance and drama from a movie rather than action and suspense. Remember to recycle your batteries.
May 24, 2008
El Hombre Invisible
Super Reviewer
Devastating and Heartbreaking . . . I'm listening to the soundtrack as I write this; James Horner is the best composer of the generation following mine.
My generation's film composers are/were John Barry, Jerry Goldsmith, Basil Polidouris and John Williams.
When Scotty dies; it must be the most painful moment I've
seen.
The Entire film is a painful experience . . . sometimes its good to enjoy films that remind you of the frailty of life.
No quotes approved yet for Testament. Logged in users can submit quotes.
Submit a Quote from 'Testament'
A quote can be a single line from one character or a memorable dialog between several characters. Please make your quotes accurate. Quotes will be submitted for approval by the RT staff.
Example:
Luke: Alright. I'll give it a try. Yoda: No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.
