Then

Author(s): Ian
Location: New Jersey

“Then”

Drama

Directed by Cameron Crowe
Written by Cameron Crowe

Principal Cast:

Joan Allen – Audrey, Class of ‘75
Andre Braugher – Gerald, Class of ’76
Mariel Hemingway – Laura, Class of ‘77
Dylan McDermott – Bill, Class of ‘80
James Gandolfini – Frank, Class of ’79
Nikki Reed – Young Audrey
Jordan Calloway – Young Gerald
Hayden Panettiere – Young Laura
Liam Aiken – Young Bill
Cameron Monaghan – Young Frank

Tagline: “Every generation deserves a proper memory”

Synopsis: On a quiet, brisk fall afternoon, five parents reminisce about growing up just around the block from each other in their small hometown of Freehold. The film begins with each of them driving their respective kids (all in the 7th grade) to a bowling party. Once there, the kids go off and do their thing and those with nothing better to do stick around in the back of the place. Suddenly, the five find themselves sitting together and sharing stories of their teenage days in the 1970s. They each tell of important moments in their lives and moments with friends and family they’ll never forget. When the party ends, though, so do the memories and are all forced back into reality. Still, they all leave with a new appreciation for childhood and everything that comes with it.

The City: Audrey is a senior in high school and is skipping school for the first time to take a day off in the city with her friend Jane for the day. While there, she meets her future husband, who she is now unhappily getting divorced from, and falls in love for the first time. Told By Audrey.

The Jerk: Gerald is tired of the racist resident asshole of his high school. His name is Doug and has challenged Gerald to a fight after school on Friday. The raging emotions in Gerald leading up to the fight test him. Told By Gerald.

The Dance: As punishment for sneaking out last week, Laura can only take one of her many cousins to her junior prom. Laura takes Bill’s older brother Rich, and when a group of kids try to have their way with her after the prom, Rich and Laura’s close friendship all these years is explained. Told By Laura.

The Joint: Bill’s parents are out of town, and he’s asked his oldest sister Patti, 23, if he can go out with his buddy Pete. Patti says yes to the 16-year old boy, and the result is Bill’s first experience with pot. Note: being caught by your parents isn’t a good idea. Told By Bill.

The Kiss: Thirteen year old Frank experiences his first kiss at the movies with a group of friends. The erection he receives afterwards just happens to ruin the moment. Told By Frank.

What the press would say:

No one does the 1970s like Cameron Crowe. With “Then”, he more than succeeds. I really am in awe at this simple little gem. There is no flashy direction or mouth wateringly beautiful costume or set designs to stare at, it’s just sharp dialogue and fierce, focused acting. “Then” is just one of those small charms that come along every few years and sweep the Academy straight off of its feet. An Oscar nomination for Crowe’s script is heavily necessary – it is so vital to the well being of the film and anything less than what it is would have ruined it. And then there’s the actors that make his words breathe.

The other half of the film is all on the actors’ shoulders. In interviews, Crowe had been known to say that he was nail bitingly careful in picking actors for “Then”. In the showiest role in the film, Joan Allen soars. Her story is the silliest and least serious, but Allen’s subtle heartbreak that she projects in her eyes and in her voice takes it to another level. Although most of the film is five big flashbacks, the present day versions of the characters don’t disappear for them. They guide us through their stories as though they are reading a book and in the hands of lesser actors, it would have been boring to listen to people telling stories. It’s a career best moment for every single actor involved, but I’m not afraid to pick favorites, Allen is in another league here. The other actors are still grand, though. Allen is just so good that she overshadows them. I’m not afraid to say it; she damn well might have delivered one of the best performances in cinematic history here. It’s a bold statement to make, but I say it confidently.

Nevertheless, there are some other Oscar-caliber performances to be found in “Then”. Andre Braugher’s story and performance could have come off like ridiculous schmaltz, but it thankfully doesn’t thanks to Braugher and once again Crowe. Jordan Calloway is impressive, but its Braugher’s ferocious performance that keeps us hooked to his story. At first, Mariel Hemingway is a bit of a comic relief as Laura, but once her story really gets down into it, the dramatics flow freely. Her seamless transition of emotions is miraculous. McDermott and Gandolfini are great, too, but Braugher, Hemingway, and Allen especially are the only three that the Academy would realistically award and they definitely deserve it the most.

Three and a half stars, out of Four.

THE STUDIO CAMPAIGN:

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actress – Joan Allen
Best Supporting Actor – Andre Braugher
Best Supporting Actor – James Gandolfini
Best Supporting Actor – Dylan McDermott
Best Supporting Actor – Liam Aiken
Best Supporting Actor – Cameron Monaghan
Best Supporting Actor – Jordan Calloway
Best Supporting Actress – Mariel Hemingway
Best Supporting Actress – Nikki Reed
Best Supporting Actress – Hayden Panettiere

THE CRITICS’ CAMPAIGN:

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actress – Joan Allen
Best Supporting Actor – Andre Braugher
Best Supporting Actress – Mariel Hemingway