Description

In TESTAMENT, an unexpected nuclear strike has occurred and no one knows who did it or why it happened.With her husband away on business, and now unable to be reached, Carol Weatherly must remain strong for the sake of her children.Things take a turn for the worse once food and other supplies become scarce. . The film is directed by Lynn Littman. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Not Your Usual End of the World Movie
As most every reviewer here mentions, this is a quietly powerful film. Jane Alexander gives an excellent performance as a mother trying to carry on after the most devastating of events. Perhaps limited by budget, we don't see any gruesome special effects, over-wrought portrayals of screaming mobs, or even an over-blown breakdown of society version in this movie.

And that's a good thing. By concentrating on character, the movie really packs a punch. We can really identify with the family who isn't even sure the father of the family, who may or may not have gone into the blast zone, is alive.

The theme of the movie, an unbelievable cataclysmic event that kills millions (or billions), is as topical as ever, with the continued proliferation of nuclear weapons. Not to mention the specter of bio-terrorism with its threat of an uncontained plague.

One comment I just have to make about the 'editorial review' in this case. The small town in question is just north of San Francisco. Sorry, but California isn't the 'Pacific Northwest'.

Highly recommended.

Anti-nuclear war film hits hard and personal
I saw the theatrically-released version of "Testament" in Berkeley California in the early 1980s. This was the era of the Nuclear Freeze and huge mass demonstrations against the Reagan government's unprecedented nuclear arms build-up. In the midst of all this landed "Testament", which is by leaps and bounds the most harrowing (and depressing) of any film dealing with nuclear war. After the movie, groups of people just huddled together outside, many weeping. This is strong medicine.

The movie is so sad it is almost unwatchable. The film follows one family's experience in a small Northern California town. Jane Alexander, future head and defender of the National Endowment for the Arts, plays the mother, alone with three school-age children, There are no fancy special effects; the bomb is a bright light through the window.

Somehow everyone has to keep going. One by one, people begin to miss work, students stop showing up at school. When a banana appears, you know its the last one, ever. The film's effectiveness is that we get to know the family and town, they are just ordinary people, and Alexander is a terrific Everymom. The school play scene is just about the saddist thing you will ever see on film.

The movie came out about the same time as the made-for TV, much hearalded ABC's "The Day After" which wowed with special effects and big-name stars, but suffered from poor character development. This movie is the opposite - we care too much about these people.

My friend (an anti-nuclear activist)who was with me at the theater surprised me by saying she thought the movie was calculating and manipulative. I have not made up my mind. Also, with the immediacy of nuclear war somewhat dimmed since the early 1980s, I'm not sure the movie will have the same impact.

Also in the same serious genre: "The War Game" and "Threads", which are British productions. "Testmanet" is the better of the three.

This Movie will stay with you for days!
You think Titanic and E.T. were sad? Watch this heartbreaking movie and you'll be depressed for days.i am not kidding. this is an excellant powerful movie that will stay in your mind. JAne alexander is a mother with her three children and husband living in CA. when her husband is away on a business trip the unthinkable happens. and soon people everywhere are dying of radiation. Watching Jane Alexander trying to keep her family together just touches your heart. Many parts of this movie stay with you that other people have mentioned. This is not a movie you could watch over and over. The music by james horner is beautiful and haunting as well. the few times i have seen this movie after it is over, i either have tears rolling down my face or i am sitting there in stunned silence. Mainly the first. This is a highly recommneded movie!

Great movie -- why isn't it on DVD?
Jane Alexander has never been a terribly show-offy actor, which is probably why she's more respected than recognized. And quite simply: if there is a better lead performance out there by an actor, male or female, than hers in this movie, I have not seen it.

"Testament" has the same basic story as "The Day After" (also a very good, powerful movie), but instead of focusing on several different sets of characters at once, it focuses on one family: the Wetherlys. This decision pays off. You are far more emotionally invested in the characters than you would be otherwise.

The Wetherlys are not sugary sweet, impossibly "good" people. They are just your typical family, with kids fighting and people getting on each other's nerves, but ultimately loving and close-knit.

Carol (Alexander) is literally forced to become the head of the family after the nuclear bombs fall (signified by a flash of light; this is obviously not a big-budget movie, but then again, lots of scenes of nuclear devastation would've only taken away from the intimate, human drama). However, she still holds out hope that her husband got out of the city before the bombs fell and is on his way back to them. She discovers otherwise in one of the most powerful scenes I have ever seen committed to film -- the more powerful because it is nonverbal and presented simply. Equally powerful are the scenes where Carol dashes through the house, madly seeking her youngest son's favorite stuffed animal, which she will not allow him to be buried without, and the scene where she tells her teenage daughter what it is like to make love.

Kevin Costner and Rebecca DeMornay give good performances as young parents who lose their infant to radiation sickness, but fortunately, their present-day stardom is not used to sell this film nowadays, at least not that I have seen. Though Jane Alexander inexplicably did not win an Oscar for this, it remains her film, but she doesn't dominate it so much that other actors (particularly those who play her children) cannot shine as well.

Best End of World Film there is; Excellent human drama
I remember seeing "The Day After" on TV in 1983 and was very unimpressed. Even with big names like Jason Robards and good FX you just didn't care about the characters. Testament, which came out also in 1983 was a MUCH different story. Jane Alexander stars as Carol Wetherly, a mother of a suburban California family, and the film starts out with the normalcy of family life. They are watching TV when all of a sudden the TV show goes dead, and a newscast comes on to say the East Coast has been hit with nuclear weapons. Just then a huge light comes through the window.

This is a realistic depiction of what a limited nuclear war might be like for the few survivors, and here we end up caring about the people of the small town and especially the family it's focused on. An old neighbor is a ham radio operator who has reached a few surviving communities, and we learn people are trying to get to Northern Canada where there are "survival camps". Other than that there is no info at all from the outside world. The town gradually sinks into darkness, oblivion, and radiation sickness, while Carol tries to keep it together for her kids. The father is played by William Devane (Marathon Man) and we see flashbacks from before the world was nuked. We don't learn exactly how the war happened other than theories.

One couple is well played by a young Kevin Costner and Rebecca DeMornay.

As the film ends Carol finally loses it and cries, "Who did this, God damn you!" a la Charleton Heston in the end of Planet of the Apes. There is one thing I'd like to see in an End-of-the-World film that's never really been explored: namely the philosophical implications of the world ending. I mean even in this great film, the characters are concerned with their immediate circumstance in their small community, not the bigger implications. Well maybe I'll write one with that theme myself.

Since the Cold War ended full scale nuclear war is unlikely, however individual nukes by terrorists are getting more and more of a possibility (9/11 proves they have the will to use them), not to mention the new "Powell Doctrine" of using tactical nukes in war. We all must work to make sure all governments know that "a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought" (that quote ironically comes from Mr. Nuke himself, Ronald Reagan).

There are some other good nuclear war films out there from 1963's Ladybird, Ladybird to 1959's On the Beach and 1967's British film The War Game. Also 1989's Miracle Mile is good, but more a satire than a drama. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

"American Graffiti" meets "American Psycho"
Before Larry Clarke's uber-nihilistic "Kids" (and the real-life Columbine tragedy) came along and made this movie look like a wacky Disney romp, Tim Hunter's "River's Edge" WAS the most disturbing look at modern teenage alienation ever put on film. Based on a true story, "River's Edge" examines a group of high school stoners and thier reactions (or inaction) to the thrill kill murder of one of thier friends by her boyfriend. The resulting angst, confusion, guilt and conflicted peer-pressure loyalty issues makes for cracking drama, and the talented, well-directed ensemble cast is more than up for it. Crispin Glover steals the show with a decidedly weird, but compelling performance as the "alpha" of the teen pack. Co-star Dennis Hopper once stated in an interview that of all the young actors he has worked with since he appeared in "Rebel Without A Cause", Glover comes the closest (in terms of acting presence, not 'looks') to capturing James Dean's ghost. Keanu Reeves turns in a great performance, making it even more puzzling why he has since evolved into such an inert mannequin onscreen. The most interesting aspect of the film is that the more times you see it (and it does stand up to repeat viewings) the more darkly comic it becomes; not "ha-ha funny", but "funny" in the same way "To Die For" and "Punch-Drunk Love" are "funny". Not to be missed by any fan of intelligent, well-made cinema.

An Fascinating Drama.
When a Disturb Teen (Daniel Roebuck) murder his girlfriend, a young trouble making boy (Joshua Miller) saw what happen by far.
When he tells his Older Brother (Keanu Reeves) & anothers about it, they don`t believe him. Once they see the Dead Body of the Person, they knew. They don`t know, how to react & with almost no sense of feeling. When a Wild out of Control teen (Crispin Glover) tries to Control the Situation & Protect his Emotionless friend. Two Teens with Some Humanity left (Reeves & Ione Skye) decide to do Something about It.

Directed by Tim Hunter (The Saint of Fort Washington, Tex) made a Strong, Terrific Drama that was Based on a Real-Life 1980 Murder Case. Glover & Dennis Hopper as a Leftover Biker & Druggie are the Standouts in this film. Reeves is also Good, in One of the First`s Starring Roles. This is a Absorbing (not completely perfect) Study of Contemporary & Alienation on Society to the Lives of Teenagers by Bringing Responsibility... This is a Disturbing & Thought-Provoking. One of the Strongest Dramas of the 80`s. Written by Neal Jimenez (For the Boys, Hideaway, Sleep with Me). Grade:A.

"It was right in front of me. I poked at it with a stick"
"River's Edge" revolves around the reactions (or lack of them) by high school students to the murder of a high school girl by her boyfriend. Nearly all the kids have a dysfunctional family or other disruptive situation that leaves them untrusting of adults. The death of their friend by another friend creates a tension among them as to whether they should turn him in.

The main group of kids is composed of Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye and Roxana Zal. Keanu lives with his little terrorist brother, Josh Miller, an even younger sister, his single mother and her do-nothing boyfriend. The other main character is "Feck" played by Dennis Hopper. He is a criminal in hiding, and is the main source for "Feck weed". Some of the acting is either nearly over the top (Glover) or questionable (Reeves), but Dennis Hopper is great as a rather strange character with a past and a large love doll, Ellie, as a friend. Josh Miller as the younger trouble-making brother is disturbing and excellent.

Although the movie is a drama and is rather unnerving, it has some unusual humor, most of it coming from Feck and the younger brother, who is about 10 or 11 years old. At one point the kid is mad and goes to see his friend at night and taps on his window - "Bring your numchuks. And get your dad's car. I know where I can get a gun".

The movie is heavy on smoking and drinking among teens and pre-teens, rampant swearing by teens and pre-teens, and teen sex. Oh yeah, a full frontal nude girl, though she's dead and turning a few colors. The DVD has the widescreen movie, chapter, subtitles (French/Spanish) and a trailer. I strongly recommend it for Dennis Hopper and Josh Miller if nothing else.

two poorly acted roles - the rest sold the movie!
Although I found the acting of Crispin Glover (Layne) and Joshua Miller (Tim )to be too over-the-top to be 'real', the rest of the cast SOLD their roles and made this a surprisingly well-done flick. Disturbing....

doesn't quite add-up, but still unforgettable
This was a great movie, but it's not quite the social indictment that it purports to be. Mostly it works on the power of its stars and some godawfully chilling mood music.

Samson (AKA "John") is a not-so-gentle giant of a teen who impulsively strangles his girlfriend. Though the murder and murderer are quickly common knowledge to local high-school denizens, nobody immediately runs to the police. This doesn't keep just about everybody her age from gawking at her now stripped corpse when it's found along the river's edge. Various reasons keep Samson's peers from even alerting the police to the body - mostly they have to do with loyalty. In a bizarre twist, their loyalty stems not from Samson, but from his friend Layne, a local Death-Metal kid who is determined not to "narc" out one of his own. While the rest remain silent, Layne makes Samson's safety and escape his personal crusade. Matt (Keanu Reeves) stirs from the pack, and calls the police. At first a suspect (he can't explain to the police the delay) Matt's released, whereupon he pretends to help Layne keep Samson safe. Most of the film is confined to the late hours of a single night, when our characters split up and tragically collide. When police flood the streets looking for Samson, it's clear that somebody "Narced". Though Layne never suspects Matt, Matt's younger brother immediately fixates on his elder sibling's betrayal, and plots revenge. At first, Layne stashes Samson with Feck (Dennis Hopper), an elder pot-head who's on the run for murder, but Samson is too impulsive to stay in one place for very long. When Feck runs out of beer, the pair leave the safety of Feck's house for beer, bullets and a trip back to the river's edge.

"River's Edge" is a stirring flick, but it's not quite the statement of society's collapse that it purports to be. (A nebbish, conservative student is put-down for just that sort of self-righteousness late in the story.) Just too much of the story doesn't add up. Matt's mom is simply weak - she's got a bossy live-in boyfriend, and looks to be have barely recovered from the sort of teenage existence now suffered by her kids. (instead of being emboldened, she's actually the weakest character in the flick - "I'm not your mother", she rants near the end "You're all mistakes!") Matt's brother plots revenge for Matt's treason - but he never connects with other characters in a way that suggests his loyalty. The other's are supposedly in sway to Layne, but Crispin Glover's mannerisms are less death-metal than post-modern mime (he simulcasts most of his lines with his hands) and he can barely hold himself together, let alone his peers. While separated from Layne, Matt uses his new-found inner strength to get closer to Clarissa (Ione Skye), but the story isn't sure which is really causing the other (maybe Clarissa is actually inspiring him to think past Layne). Especially weird is the way that while Layne searches for Samson, Matt runs into him at a liquor store after hours. There, using Feck's gun, and in front of Matt, Samson forces the storeowner to sell Matt beer. Matt never tells Layne of the meeting. The biggest hole is Feck. The flick tosses him and Samson together in a night that climaxes with something out of "Of Mice and Men" - but the script only partly succeeds in creating that intimacy between Feck and Samson. When Feck later says of Samson "he didn't love her", it's unclear whether he's referring to Samson's murdered girlfriend or to Elly, Feck's blow-up doll and captive passenger on that last night.

That said, this is still an incredible flick. Crispin Glover is still unforgettable as Layne (after watching enough of "Edge" you may find it hard not to talk like him). The plot, for its holes, stays focused on that one last night. If the ending is way-too-pat, it's probably because the flick's ambition is more than it can achieve. In any case, I sat down for this click and couldn't pull myself away. Supposedly based on a true story, "River's Edge" should be appreciated on its own, without us having to wonder where the true story became a way-out cautionary tale of impulsive murder and misplaced loyalty. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The initial concept of this remarkably poignant film may not be sexy,but it's well-executed and genuinely touching and easily brings its audience into the moving story. J.P. Tannen (Jon Voight), a divorced, absentee father, takes his three children, Tilde (a beautiful, heartbreaking Roxana Zal), Truman-Paul (Robby Kiger), and Trung (Son Hoang Bui), on a European cruise, during which a tragedy occurs at home. The emotionally charged setup of a father trying to reconnect with his children may be familiar to many people. Versatile writer David Seltzer (Lucas) melds realistic dialogue, conversations, situations, and reactions in a subtle, credible manner, giving his characters many levels and sincere depth. It's this realism that makes the story all that more compelling--Tannen is neither ogre nor saint, and his children are like real children: they're embarrassed by their insecurities, they act out, they crave affection. There are no one-dimensional characters either. Tannen and his ex-wife (Millie Perkins) maintain a distant fondness for each other, as she understands and finally accepts his foibles. Her husband, Mitchell (Richard Crenna), genuinely loves Tannen's children as he would his own. Party of Five isblessed with great talent, including the youngest stars. --N.F. Mendoza ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Overlooked gem
A very emotional, well-acted piece of work by Jon Voight. Perhaps his best acting ever. Don't miss this one.

A man bridges a gap with his children...
Jon Voight plays a divorced father of three, who rarely sees his kids, remembers their birthdays, and generally isn't much of a parent.The role of parent to the kids belongs to his beautiful ex-wife, played by Millie Perkins, and her current husband, a loving man played by Richard Crenna.Voight arrives to take his children on their yearly vacation together, and it turns out to be a Mediterranean cruise.During the cruise, the love he has for his kids is evident as well as the unfamiliarity he has with playing the father and putting his kids first.But when a tragedy strikes back home, Voight must decide if taking on the role of father permanently is something he can and wants to do...

Jon Voight Rules
I loved this movie because Jon Voight gets closer to his kids then he ever was!

A Real Weeper
This is one of those movies that is perfect for those days when you feel like a good cry. Just imagine a marathon of Penny Serenade, Terms of Endearment (when she sees her kids for the last time!) and add Table forFive to that list.Maybe it was just the mood I was in, or I am notproperly medicated, but this was a terrific tearjerker.Well written,acted, and filmed, it is a great flick! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Shattered Spirits
This film depicts substance abuse, domestic violence, co-dependancy in the family. Very powerful, very accurate.

Tough Love, straight up!
"Shattered Spirits" is the best movie I've ever seen in a High School Health Class.

Martin Sheen stars as an alcholic father, while M.I.F. Hall-of-Famer Melinda Dillon desperately tries to hold the family together in the wake of dad's inebriated rampages.

The film is pretty good (if vaguely TV-movie-ish), particularly when Martin Sheen tells his son that he's going into a bar to meet a buddy, and comes out six hours later! Was the "buddy" named Jack Daniels?

However, I did resent watching the movie a bit--I sat next to the class cutie, and we'd struck up a nice little in-class friendship. So for three days, the lights were off and we weren't allowed to talk. Thanks a lot!

Even so, it definitely opened up an important discussion about alcoholism. I have a weakness for Newcastle Brown Ale, but I try to remember the lesson in moderation that Martin Sheen taught me.

This will sneak up on you!
This film was first shown on TV at the boomtime of recovery when Betty Ford was pushing for recovery for families affected by addiction. The story portrays a middleclass family hiding dad's (Sheen's) alcoholism and sliding down the slope of denial. The reactions of the family to crises and the roles they each fall into are so accurately done that the viewer can get way into his/her own alcoholic upbringing and pain before they are aware of it.
I have shown this at several gatherings and it never fails to shake some people up seriously. Kids are especially vulnerable in their teen years. But entire families can get very agitated during the viewing.
So I would recommend that anyone showing or viewing this film be prepared to deal with some extreme reactioons for several days afterwards. Don't just show this and send your guests home. Instead have a discussion and a followup trip to a meeting of Alateen, Al-Anon or AA.
BUT SHOW IT!

Shattered Spirits
This was an excellent movie. The acting was superb & the Directing was great! I hope that it helped many people to see & understand what ANY addictive behavior can do to everyone; families, friends, & themselves. Just a footnote--I hope people enjoyed seeing my cat in this movie as it was filmed just across the street from our home in Simi Valley. :) Also, I would love to have an AFFORDABLE copy of this great film. Thank You :o)

Very Accurate and cathartic for Alcoholic Families
The story is full of those disturbing yet common events which plague families struggling with Alcoholism. The folks who consulted on this film (Claudia Black for one - Authoer of some of the best recovery books for kids) did a great job of keeping the alcoholic insanity just high enough to really affect anyone who grew up with an alcoholic parent. The scenes are well constructed and the outcome is not sugar coated. ONE WARNING...don't just show this to a group or a friend or a bunch of kids thinking they'll like it. There will need to be some help and comfort offered. Some people will discover their own alcoholic and/or abusive past for the first time During the showing. Find out where there are Al-Anon, Alateen, and AA meetings BEFORE you show the film. But SHOW IT! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Decent movie, bad DVD
The other poster pretty much outlined the plot, so I will not repeat it here.

Heather McComb is the only actor I knew in this movie and is the main reason I watched it. Because of a previous role as a 14 year old 4 years earlier, it was a bit of a stretch to believe the now 18-19 year old actress as, again, a 14 year old character, Christiane. However, she did convey some juvenile personality and was very good overall.

The male lead actor, Michael Wyle, was pretty good too, and had many quirks and mannerisms that (I guess) are consistent with his coke head character, Ernest. I wondered throughout the movie how he could afford all his drugs with his crappy job.

The movie is clearly influenced by Taxi Driver, and in fact, I was going to call this review "Taxi Driver Without the Taxi".
There is a narration that sounds very similar to Travis Bickle's voice and his comments, and the older male develops a relationship with an underage prostitute, eventually gunning down all the perps. It is not a straight ripoff or homage, but you easily make the connection.

There is also some influence by the book/movie "Christiane F." (about young druggy/prostitutes in Berlin) and the director reveals his one-time near obsession with the book in the commentary. (Great book by the way, but very depressing even though it has an eventual happy-ish ending).

Surprisingly, there is no nudity or sex, although some of the scenes are inside an adult bookstore. The whole subplot of the "special" porn movie that Ernest eventually arranges to see in order to locate the perps is overdone and a bit of a let down (it's 5 minutes long we are told, and costs $1000 to see it once, and $5000 to buy). The bad guy is "sure" this is what Ernest wants to see, although the subject matter is never discussed. If I was paying that kind of money, I would want to have an idea what it was about. I won't spoil it for you, but I found the 30 seconds we are shown to be not erotic. Like I say, this major subplot is very weak.

Not being religious myself, there were a few religious overtones and symbols that were not crystal clear to me.

I rate the movie at 3 stars, a little better than average, but this is also a DVD review, and here is the bad news.

The "behind the scenes featurette" is worthless. It is just rough VCR quality footage of people milling around. No narration, no introduction of the unknown people we are seeing, and worst of all, the sound is very bad.

Although there is a commentary, there is no movie sound at all, so you don't know what the characters are saying, and therefore in many cases, we don't know exactly what the 3 commentators are talking or laughing about. Normally, we could just pop the subtitles on while listening to the commentary but there are no subtitles available on the DVD.

Bottom line - Great movie for fans of Heather or Michael, decent movie on its own, and a pricey DVD (when I bought it it was about $8 more) for such badly done extras.

10/8/03 - I just found out the VHS version runs 3 minutes longer. Don't know what was cut (no mention in the commentary). Unusual for the tape to cost more than the DVD, but it does...

A difficult subject, sensitively handled
GOD'S LONELY MAN is amazingly, inspired by a true story. Ernest (Michael Wyle) is a strange, naive man who works in a porno shop (his mother thinks he is a cop) but winds up losing his job. His insecurities see him using coke and speed to help him cope with his sense of isolation. Ernest feels as though he is cursed, has suicidal thoughts and in one manic moment in the film, slices off his pinky. But despite all his problems Ernest is basically a good man and he befriends a teenage girl, Christiane (Heather McComb) who is being degraded by pornographers (a kind of homage to the movie CHRISTIANE F.?) She is also an alcoholic and Ernest offers to attend her counselling sessions with her. But he is slowly plotting to take revenge on the kiddie porn/ snuff film makers who who have exploited Christiane. The revenge sequence is justifiably bloody and graphic, but the film handles its difficult subject matter sensitively and only features graphic violence near the climax. Former porn star Ginger Lynn Allen has a cameo as a member of an AA group. ... Read more

Description

Three men turn a race of greed into a fast-paced game of power, control and speed. When Jim (Chad McQueen) loses his race car sponsorship, he turns to petty crime to pay his debts. Blackmailed into heisting an impounded Corvette with a valuable hidden stash, Jim finds himself caught between two men who want what's hidden in the car. Jim soon realizes the only way out is to pit the two gangsters against each other and let the winner take all. ... Read more