Based on the World War I memoir by Vera Brittain, James Kents' Testament of Youth is a powerful tale of love, war, loss, and remembrance. The film begins before the war, with Vera desperate to attend Oxford, unwilling to succumb to the standard expectations of her father that she find a husband. Her dreams of attending Oxford and becoming a writer are encouraged by her loving brother and his friends, particularly Roland, an aspiring writer himself. The two share an instant connection but soon enough Vera's dreams of Oxford with Roland become a distant memory when widespread war breaks out over Europe. Being told entirely from the perspective of a woman, Testament of Youth is a unique and powerful film about conflict, capturing the inherent sense of patriotism, duty, and honor that sends so many men to their deaths. Through the story of Vera, Michael, and Roland, the film brilliantly captures how war destroys or at least halts much of societies progress, with these bright and talented young men and woman effectively putting their lives and aspirations on hold to become a soldier or nurse for the sake of the greater good. Being based on an memoir, the film feels incredibly authentic and intimate, capturing the psychological effect of those both serving on the front lines and those at home. We see how Roland begins to become hardened by the violence and death he has experienced, a deterioration of empathy that comes under such circumstances. For those not directly in the fight, Testament of Youth captures the helplessness of those who simply must wait, hoping their loved ones make it out alive. With Vera suffering tremendous loss, Testament of Youth's most important aspect might be it's ability to speak to the importance of remembrance and the need to find the strength to persevere. Featuring a fantastic lead performance by Alicia Vikhander, Testament of Youth is a powerful film about war that attempts to make sense of this dark time in history, speaking to the incredible loss and overall futility of conflict.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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