Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jane Alexander | ... | Carol Wetherly | |
William Devane | ... | Tom Wetherly | |
Rossie Harris | ... | Brad Wetherly (as Ross Harris) | |
Roxana Zal | ... | Mary Liz Wetherly | |
Lukas Haas | ... | Scottie Wetherly | |
Philip Anglim | ... | Hollis | |
Lilia Skala | ... | Fania | |
Leon Ames | ... | Henry Abhart | |
Lurene Tuttle | ... | Rosemary Abhart | |
Rebecca De Mornay | ... | Cathy Pitkin | |
Kevin Costner | ... | Phil Pitkin | |
Mako | ... | Mike | |
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Mico Olmos | ... | Larry |
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Gerry Murillo | ... | Hiroshi |
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J. Brennan Smith | ... | Billdocker |
Nuclear war in the United States is portrayed in a realistic and believable manner. The story is told through the eyes of a woman who is struggling to take care of her family. The entire movie takes place in a small suburban town outside San Francisco. After the nuclear attack, contact with the outside world is pretty much cut off. Written by Mark Logan <marklo@west.sun.com>
There's nothing technically wrong with Testament. It's a story of nuclear fallout, the result of which is terror, loneliness, fear, and death. The acting was impressive I usually have to give children a little leeway, as I often catch them mouthing the lines of the person speaking or committing any number of acting crimes, which can only be blamed on immaturity. But the acting here was not a problem; it was first-rate all the way around. And the story seemed real. With the threat of Y2K looming near, this didn't seem like a fairy tale.
So what IS the problem with Testament? Relentlessness. I was physically exhausted and emotionally drained by the time the credits were finally rolling. Pretty impressive for a movie only 89 minutes long! It is a powerful, horrible film. I am still haunted by the dull-eyed image of Jane Alexander going through the motions of yet another death in the house too spent to break down. It's a good movie but depressing as hell. See it, just don't expect to be entertained.