Don't know why I'm attracted to apocalyptic/Armageddon nuclear movies, but has forever been a fascination for me. On The Beach, Dr. Strangelove, Fail Safe, A Boy And His Dog, Threads, When The Wind Blows - and countless more I've seen. Yet Testament somehow slipped under my radar until recently (thank you Imprint!) And have to say it's a DARN good movie! A bit slow at first as the viewer gets acquainted with a suburban family of 6, going about their daily routines of breakfast, exercise, ready for school, etc. And this goes on for a few days. Nothing dramatic are hidden secrets, just a family concerned about school plays, birthdays, work. The father leaves for business, and the mother goes about tending to her kids. All of a sudden the TV goes funny, and a newscast breaks in saying nuclear weapons are striking America, and numerous cities have already been hit - this is NOT a drill! And all of a sudden there's a blinding flash in the house, and the mother and children shield themselves. After the flash subsides, they and the rest of the neighbourhood emerges confused as to what happened? An elderly gentlemen in the area with a HAM radio confirms that many US cities cannot be reached anymore. Including San Francisco - where the father went for business. The mother and children hope he returns safely, but as days progress without any power, radio reports, or outside intervention - the neighbourhood begins to realize the grave situation of it all. And that radiation fallout will eventually get to them soon too. And from there, it's a very dramatic and subtle spiral of a pleasant neighbourhood eroding as food and essentials become less, and people start getting sick. And it' the coping with, and diligence of dealing with the dying and dead that is so heartbreaking in this movie. Again, nothing overwrought or dramatic - just certain people and children aren't there anymore. Burial plots start appearing around houses instead of the cemetery. Belongings and personal items start littering the streets. So very subtle and quietly discussed - but I think very realistic in a way as well. It makes the viewer 'part of the neighbourhood', just as confused and unknowing as everyone else - and what will happen next? And unlike most other movies, where the military or Red Cross or Bruce Willis comes in to save the day by the end, or a big dramatic finale to it all. This movie just ends with a handful of people and offspring carrying on as best they can. And make of that what you will. So despite the slowness, and then suddenness of the attack, and the isolated confusion and slow realization of death after - it would seem like a bad movie then. But on the other hand, I think it's more harrowing for its simplicity, good naturedness, and decreasing optimism and perseverance that will really hit viewers. Definitely a HAUNTING movie when it comes to the end!
Review of Testament
