That Was Then... This Is Now

This coming-of-age drama follows Mark and his foster brother, Gary, as their lives are upended by the return of Mark's biological father. Gary, a rebellious and often violent individual, struggles to adapt to Mark's more stable world, leading to escalating tensions and dangerous choices. The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the search for identity during adolescence.

The film received a mixed to generally negative reception from critics. While some praised its intentions and performances, particularly from the young cast, many found the plot to be derivative and the character development lacking. Audiences generally had a lukewarm response, with its impact being relatively minor compared to other films of its era.

• Praised for its earnest attempt to tackle complex adolescent issues.
• Criticized for its uneven pacing and predictable narrative.
• Performances, especially by Estevez, were noted but couldn't salvage the film's shortcomings.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a decent, albeit flawed, portrayal of teenage angst and difficult family dynamics. Many appreciated the effort to depict raw emotions and the performances, while some felt the story could have been more original or impactful.

Emilio Estevez, who also directed the film, based it on the 1962 novel of the same name by S.E. Hinton, author of 'The Outsiders' and 'Rumble Fish'.