Watch Before and After

Before and After is a 1996 drama film directed by Barbet Schroeder and based on the novel of the same name by Rosellen Brown. The movie stars Meryl Streep and Liam Neeson as a married couple alongside Edward Furlong, who plays their son. The movie is set in a small New England town, where the Ryan family resides. Carolyn and Ben Ryan are a couple deeply in love and have two children, Jacob and Judith. The family is portrayed as living a happy life until one day their world is turned upside down when Jacob's girlfriend Martha is found murdered in the woods.

As the investigation progresses, it becomes apparent that Jacob is the prime suspect. Meanwhile, the town is reacting to the horrific incident with outrage and fear. The Ryans are forced to confront their worst fears as they try to protect their son and unravel the mystery of Martha's death.

The story is told in a non-linear narrative, with flashbacks and flash-forwards propelling the plot forward. Throughout the movie, we see the Ryans struggle to maintain their composure and keep their family together in the face of adversity. Meryl Streep delivers a powerful performance as Carolyn, conveying immense pain and heartache as a mother fearing for her child's life. Liam Neeson also delivers a strong performance as Ben Ryan, struggling to come to terms with his son's potential guilt while also trying to protect his family.

Jacob, played by Edward Furlong, is portrayed as a troubled teen with a history of drug addiction and clashes with his father. Furlong delivers an emotionally charged performance, capturing the anger and frustration of a young man caught up in a confusing situation. At the same time, he also conveys a sense of vulnerability and fear, making Jacob a sympathetic character despite his flaws.

The supporting cast is also strong, with Julia Weldon delivering an impressive performance as the young Judith Ryan, who is struggling to make sense of her brother's actions. John Heard plays the town's prosecutor, who is determined to put Jacob behind bars, and Alfred Molina plays a defense attorney trying to prove his client's innocence.

Before and After is a thought-provoking movie that deals with themes such as guilt, innocence, and family loyalty. The movie does not offer easy answers, instead forcing the viewer to confront uncomfortable questions about what they would do in a similar situation. The non-linear narrative structure adds to the suspense, keeping the audience guessing until the very end. The film also examines how a tragic event can have far-reaching consequences and shows how the Ryan family must learn to come to terms with their new reality.

Overall, Before and After is a well-acted, engaging drama that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The complex characters and thought-provoking themes make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Before and After is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.