Read Positive User Reviews for Testament of Youth

10

foxgroveJun 5, 2015

In every sense of the word this is a beautiful adaptation of Vera Brittain’s memoir of the First World War. It delineates her struggle as a woman to go to University in Oxford and of her relationships with three men (her brother, fiancé andIn every sense of the word this is a beautiful adaptation of Vera Brittain’s memoir of the First World War. It delineates her struggle as a woman to go to University in Oxford and of her relationships with three men (her brother, fiancé and friend) all of whom become casualties of war’s inevitable consequence. Director James Kent composes each frame beautifully and many scenes look like pictures that have come to life, although in the best sense, as there are not endless shots of scenery just for the sake of it. Particularly effective are moments towards the end as the camera takes in all the places the four friends used to visit. Only now, of course, there is no one there. These poignant moments are very moving and speak volumes without the need for words.
In the lead role of Vera, Danish actress Alicia Vikander is outstanding. Her delicate performance is pitched at just the right level. Full of spirit and determination the actress never resorts to grandstanding or histrionics to make the character breathe. A great supporting cast of known actors flit in and out, but without unbalancing the deliberate and subtle tone.
Production Design and costumes are sublime as well as being appropriate and the score is just lovely, contributing greatly to the emotional impact the tragic story generates. The editing style successfully cuts to Vera’s thoughts and memories from time to time but never loses the rhythm of the basic narrative. For lovers of great stories wonderfully told this is a must see.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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8

Brent_MarchantJun 19, 2015

A somewhat underrated offering that tells the compelling story of pacifist activist Vera Brittain in the wake of her experience as a field nurse during World War I. Despite a somewhat slow beginning, the film gets progressively better as itA somewhat underrated offering that tells the compelling story of pacifist activist Vera Brittain in the wake of her experience as a field nurse during World War I. Despite a somewhat slow beginning, the film gets progressively better as it moves along. With a fine performance by Alicia Vikander and great period piece production values, this is a sleeper -- and one of the year's better releases thus far.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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7

AliceofXJun 9, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Testament of Youth is one of those dramas that manages to rise above the usual mediocrities enough that you can call it good, but not enough that you can say anything more about it. It is by no means a bad film, but there is nothing great about it, nothing that would make it one of the Must See films of the year.

The biggest problem, which I realized this year while watching Wild, is that a 2 hour film is not a good medium for biographies that try to capture an entire person's life. Things move too fast, there is no time for gradual change to happen.

Vikander's Vera appears to be on the same emotional tone through out the film and that is probably my biggest complaint about the film in that it is lacking a contrast about life before and after the War.

But with the negative out I don't want to give the appearance that I did not like the film. It was a steady drama, albeit more on a TV movie level rather than cinema, with characters that felt like real people.

My favourite parts are those at the end where we see Vera overcome by her grief and loss, incapable to see how to go on. The clip shown at the beginning is arguably the best of the film.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

mikemacAug 25, 2015

a great movie you can tell Hollywood didn't have their hands in this one no big special effects no part 1,2,3 just an enjoyable movie to watch and it effectively shows the bad about going to any wars

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

LeZeeDec 4, 2015

The lesson the WWI taught us that we shouldn't let it fade away.

Kind of reminded me 'Atonement', but not a similar movie, except like you know the loved one goes to the war, serving a nurse in the army like stuffs. Actually, this one wasThe lesson the WWI taught us that we shouldn't let it fade away.

Kind of reminded me 'Atonement', but not a similar movie, except like you know the loved one goes to the war, serving a nurse in the army like stuffs. Actually, this one was a biopic of a young Vera Brittain that set in the England, 1914. Her wish becomes real to attend the university of Oxford, but at a same time the World War I breaks out and puts her dream to a pause while her beloved ones are fighting in the war. She fights her own way to save them and bring safely back home. For that she goes through many difficulties and by the time when war nears the end, the movie as well.

I felt it was a bit lengthy, but covers everything without racing towards the end by trimming all the important portions. It was an anti-war theme. It demonstrated the struggles that everyone who linked directly to the war would go through. Like parents, fiancee, siblings, friends who send their loved ones to the war. Especially how the young generations are affected by the sudden warfare. So like the title, Vera tells the story by recalling her memories. The film won't show the battles, but only a glimpse of a few seconds for a couple of times.

Alicia Vikander was at her best. She was quite impressive in the recent films of hers. I liked the filmed locations, some of the countryside landscapes were beautiful. The end scene is where it really breaks our heart, makes us to feel what Vera felt. The book which this movie was based on was a bestseller at that time, but was just a someone's story, although the world war two came. It is a good movie about a stupid war. The first major mistake by the man in the modern world, followed by another.

8/10… Expand

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10

JonSnow2049Aug 20, 2019

Amazing ani-military drama. As a film, Testament of Youth glimmers with sadness, but also the apprehension of sadness. This film impressed me.

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7

DawdlingPoetNov 24, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a period drama film, covering themes or subject areas including war (although it is admittedly more of a background topic - more on this later) independence, hope and romance. To start with, I felt this film seemed visually and audibly quite 'rose tinted', somewhat over sentimental, due to the light piano and harp pieces which are slightly haunting in tone and played in the background, while the skyline looked rather plump and blurry - as if the camera which filmed it had steamed up, only primarily at the top and not so much lower down in shots, where the characters are shown. It gave the earlier scenes a sort of dream like feeling, I'd say. There was a fairly strong sense of optimism I picked up on from the start. I felt that Vera Brittain was an easy character to hope the best for, to root for as the Americans may say. I could understand her wish to live life the way she wanted, for her to be given the chance to make her own successes. It felt quite frustrating how her family (and indeed wider society at that time) regarded her life choices and the like. It made me think about how far society has come in the last 100 years or so. I liked the cinematography - there are numerous impressive camera angles used to create quite beautiful shots. Of course this is very bittersweet as when the war inevitably breaks out, things take a turn for the much more dark and it made me think how we should perhaps stop and think about the simple beauty of nature, of everyday things, which perhaps are taken for granted a bit. Haunting is a term that I feel applies in part due to the camerawork and cinematography. Maybe you could argue that I am being a bit 'airy fairy' but this film is definitely one that sits comfortably in the 'period drama/war/romance' sub-categories (or genres), as mentioned), so if you cringe at sentimentality, then this is likely not for you. Cast wise, Alicia Vikander plays Vera Brittain. I really liked her determination and/or her self-assuredness - she's quite strong minded and I like to think that women who had to deal with being regarded as the lesser gender at that time, were able to challenge things and stand up for themselves. I felt that Alicia played her role well - Vera seemed like role model material to me. Meanwhile, Kit Harrington plays Roland Leighton, Vera's partner. The two of them did seem genuinely very much 'smitten' and like a well matched couple, in the throes of young love. Other cast members include Taron Egerton who plays Edward, Veras brother, while Dominic West plays Veras father and Emily Watson plays her mother. Also present are Joanna Scanlon as Aunt Belle and Miranda Richardson as Miss Lorimer.

It is very much an emotive, fairly powerful film on war, in terms of the effects it can have on everyday citizens, although I should point out that it doesn't depict battle scenes themselves in any extended detail. It is a film which may require some tissues, if your liable to get teary eyed at such types of film (so don't say I didn't warn you). I felt it was quite well put across, in terms of featuring decent character development and putting the environment the main characters are in, in to context regarding way of life at the time its set.

Content wise, this film features some violence, although primarily its the results after battle scenes which are shown in any kind of detail and this does (again inevitably) feature quite a heavy amount of blood. There are scenes which feature wounded soldiers being treated and which are naturally somewhat frightening and harrowing, so this wouldn't be something for very young viewers to watch. Indeed the films themes are somewhat mature and there is a sadness to the film. The film has been given a 12 rating to reflect this.

I felt this film was well made, primarily due to the decent performances and a good use of the musical score, plus some admirable cinematography. It doesn't glorify war and it is, I suppose, a bit frustratingly one sided as far as the plot is concerned but then given its based on on a memoir, thats quite understandable. It may not suit everyone but for what it is, its certainly a decent watch - a relatively thought provoking one at that.

Yes, overall I would recommend this film. It features decent performances by the main cast, a good use of classical music in the musical score and I felt the plot was quite well paced. I found it an interesting watch - rather bittersweet at times and fairly thought provoking, I'd say its worth a watch. However, if you really don't like overly sentimental films, or period dramas with much romance in it, then this would likely render this title better avoided but for me, I thought it was good and I'll recommend it on that basis.… Expand

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7

rmurray847Aug 10, 2023

I have to judge this film on its own merits, as I have not read the memoir upon which it is based. So no comments on the accuracy/faithfulness/thoroughness of the adaptation. However, one fault of the movie is that it FEELS like a lot hasI have to judge this film on its own merits, as I have not read the memoir upon which it is based. So no comments on the accuracy/faithfulness/thoroughness of the adaptation. However, one fault of the movie is that it FEELS like a lot has been left out. We are asked to take some big jumps in time...we jump from high point to high point...but not taking the time to show less "dramatic" moments in the lives of the characters makes it a little harder to feel we know these people.

We meet young Vera Brittain just months before the start of WWI. She comes from what seems to be a middle class family...enough money to have some servants, but not enough to consider paying for their smart daughter to go to Oxford for college. She's self-centered and focused on her studies...not interested too much in the frivolities of the men around her, including her beloved brother and his friends. Yet sparks fly (despite her desire to avoid such complications) with young and handsome Kit Harrington (best known as Jon Snow in GAME OF THRONES...in this film, he has no beard and is almost unrecognizable as a result). He encourages her studies and writings. They are both hoping to be Oxford bound. The viewer must presume that these folks are all thus just out of high school (or the equivalent), yet they all look far too old to just now be thinking about college. Ah well.

College is interrupted by the start of the war, and the men in Vera's life are drawn into the conflict. She feels a need to serve (never fully explained), and becomes a nurse, first in England and then near the front. The men in her life move in and out of the story...but this is truly the story of Vera. Fortunately, because the script doesn't always give us all we need, we are in the hands of emerging star Alicia Vikander. (DANISH GIRL, EX MACHINA) Vikander is never less than interesting...her characters wears her emotions so clearly on her face, and we see her many inner conflicts played out so clearly on that canvas. Although I would say her performance in DANISH GIRL brings even more shades and subtlties, she still commands the screen.

Part of that command comes from the fact that she is surrounded by some weak performances, and thus jumps even more clearly to the lead. Kit Harrington has some charm, but really not a lot of depth. And as Vera's parents, Emily Watson is given NOTHING to do but look dowdy (such a waste of a great actress) and Dominic West once again proves that he is a supremely over-rated actor...from his terrible Baltimore accent in THE WIRE to his ridiculous little role in 300, West's appeal is completely lost on me. Taron Egerton, as Vera's brother, fares a bit better, and has the most interesting character arc.

It sounds like I'm mostly complaining, but now let me state that despite some noteworthy weaknesses, the drama inherent in this subject matter is quite compelling and the film is still quite affecting. WWI and the truly horrific conditions the soldiers endured, coupled with the primitive medical care they received, make from gripping stuff. With Vikander's strong performance anchoring everything, we see through her eyes the horror she sees. The film features some lovely cinematography, especially in the opening scenes, so we see quite starkly the contrast between the beauty of a peaceful world and the ugliness of a world at war. The film is low budget, so there are no real battle sequences...Vera was never in a battle, so how could we see one? This is not a movie that pretends to be telling the history of WWI. It is a film that shows the brutality and senselessness and randomness and sadness of war. While not exactly charting new territory, TESTAMENT OF YOUTH brings its own perspective on that familiar territory, and that's enough to make the film very worthwhile.… Expand

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