Before and After *** (Liam Neeson, Meryl Streep, Edward Furlong) – Classic Movie Review 1468

Director Barbet Schroeder’s 1996 fast-paced dramatic thriller stars Liam Neeson as a well-respected American father who fights with his wife (Meryl Streep) and daughter (Julia Weldon) when their teenage son, New England boy Jacob (Edward Furlong), disappears after being accused of murdering his girlfriend.

Jacob flees, the father destroys possible evidence, the small-town community turns on them and the mother is forced to keep her doctor’s practice shut. Then Jacob is arrested…

As you’d expect with this cast, there’s a feast of splendid acting in this beautifully handled, gripping tale, packed tight with the ring of emotional truth. The high-profile performers elevate any already gripping tale.

Alfred Molina, Daniel von Bargen, John Heard, Ann Magnuson, Larry Pine and Wesley Addy are also in the cast.

The screenplay is by Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon’s Ted Tally, adapting the book by Rosellen Brown.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1468

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