Drama,Thriller,Mystery
United States of America
Before and After is a 1996 American crime drama film directed by Barbet Schroeder. The film stars Meryl Streep and Liam Neeson as the parents of a teenage boy named Jacob (Edward Furlong), who is accused of murdering his girlfriend. The film adaptation is based on the 1992 novel Before and After by American author Rosellen Brown.
The story revolves around Jacob's parents, Carolyn and Ben Ryan, who live in a small town in Massachusetts with their two teenage children. One morning, they wake up to discover that their son's girlfriend, Martha Taverner, has been found dead in a nearby woods. The police immediately begin investigating the case, and soon Jacob becomes the prime suspect.
As the investigation unfolds, Carolyn and Ben begin to realize that they don't know their son as well as they thought they did. They struggle to come to terms with the fact that their child could be capable of such a terrible crime. The film explores the complexities of the relationships between parents and their children and the effects of accusations, rumors, and the small town mentality on a family.
As the case gains media attention, the Ryans become the focus of intense scrutiny, both from the townspeople and the authorities investigating the case. Meanwhile, Jacob flees the town to escape the accusations.
The film follows the Ryans' efforts to clear their son's name and prove his innocence while also coming to terms with their own shortcomings as parents. The story escalates when Carolyn discovers a significant piece of information that could exonerate Jacob and turns the investigation in an entirely new direction.
Before and After is a thought-provoking and emotional tale of a family caught in the middle of a murder investigation, struggling to protect their child and their family's reputation in the face of a hostile legal system and judgmental community.
