Before and After (film)

• Meryl Streep: Dr. Carolyn Ryan
• Liam Neeson: Ben Ryan
• Edward Furlong: Jacob Ryan
• Julia Weldon: Judith Ryan
• Alfred Molina: Panos Demeris
• Daniel von Bargen: Fran Conklin
• John Heard: Wendell Bye
• Ann Magnuson: Terry Taverner

Action

The husband and wife Carolyn Ryan and Ben Ryan live in New England. Carolyn is a doctor, Ben is a sculptor. They have two children, Jacob and Judith.

The girlfriend of Jacob is found dead. Ben refuses to cooperate with the police. Jacob goes into hiding, pretending through the sent by travelers postcards, he was hiding in another city. He is arrested.

Jacob is accused of murdering his girlfriend. Ben destroyed evidence, the burden on his son by wiping a jack with traces of blood. The lawyer Panos Demeris be entrusted with the defense of Jacob.

Jacob told his parents, as his girlfriend died. It came to a dispute and scuffle, in which the girl fell on a car jack.

Reviews

• Mike Clark wrote in USA Today that the film, despite the game Meryl Streep, Liam Neeson and Edward Furlong have difficulties to reach the usual level of a film.
• Roger Ebert wrote in the Chicago Sun - Times that Alfred Molina was miscast in the film. Liam Neeson show little insight in his role, Meryl Streep WOULD sometimes uninvolved. Ebert praised the portrayal of Julia Weldon, who play the younger child of Ryan. ( Full review )
• James Berardinelli wrote that the film offers little that is new. However, he will teach a penetrating and poignant picture of the family. Berardinelli praised Meryl Streep, Liam Neeson and Edward Furlong. ( Full review )

Based Upon

• Rosellen Brown: Before and after ( "Before and after" ). Diogenes Verlag, Zurich 1996, ISBN 3-257-22851-1.
• Rosellen Brown: Before and after. Bantam Doubleday Dell, New York 1993, ISBN 0-440-21654-0.