Before and After
Before and After

Before and After

1996Movie108 minEnglish

Two parents deal with the effects when their son is accused of murdering his girlfriend.

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Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes36%
Metacritic49/100
Google Users59%
Director: Barbet SchroederGenres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A seemingly perfect couple's world is shattered when their teenage son is accused of murdering his girlfriend. As the police close in, the parents must decide how far they will go to protect their child, leading them down a dark path of deception and moral compromise. The film delves into the lengths parents will go to shield their offspring from consequences, even when faced with undeniable evidence.

Critical Reception

Before and After received largely negative reviews from critics, who found its premise intriguing but its execution flawed. The performances of the lead actors were often cited as a strong point, but the film's pacing and melodramatic tone were frequently criticized. Audiences were also divided, with many finding the story too bleak and unsatisfying.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its compelling performances, particularly from Meryl Streep and Liam Neeson.
  • Criticized for its slow pacing and overly melodramatic and predictable plot.
  • Many found the film's moral ambiguity and bleak outlook to be unsatisfying.

Google audience: Google users found the film to be a tense and dramatic thriller with strong acting, but many felt the story was too predictable and lacked emotional depth. Some viewers appreciated the exploration of parental loyalty, while others were disappointed by the lack of resolution and the dark themes.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended to be directed by Ridley Scott and star Harrison Ford, with a different script, before Barbet Schroeder took over and the cast was finalized.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Edward Furlong "Jacob" puts in a reasonable effort here, but otherwise this is a really unremarkable drama that muddles along despite rather than because of the two stars at the top of the bill. When a young girl is murdered, he is the susp...