Before and After (1996), directed by Barbet Schroeder, is a somber, meticulously paced psychological thriller that explores the moral fracture lines of a quiet New England family.
Adapted from Rosellen Brown’s bestselling novel, the film avoids the frantic tropes of the typical “whodunit” in favor of a heavy, atmospheric examination of how far parents will go to protect their children from the consequences of a potentially monstrous act.
It is a film defined by silence, snow, and the crushing weight of ethical compromise.
The story centers on Dr. Carolyn Ryan (Meryl Streep) and her husband, Ben (Liam Neeson), a successful sculptor.
Their idyllic life in a small Massachusetts town is shattered when a local girl is found dead and their teenage son, Jacob (Edward Furlong), becomes the primary suspect.
When Jacob disappears immediately following the discovery of the body, the community turns on the Ryans, and the local police, led by Fran Conklin (Daniel von Bargen), begin to tighten the noose.
Ben, driven by a primal, protective instinct, discovers evidence at the crime scene and destroys it, choosing to bury the truth to save his son. Carolyn, however, is a woman of science and integrity who finds herself at odds with her husband’s deceptive tactics.
When Jacob is finally located and brought to trial, the family hires a high-powered, cynical lawyer, Panos Demeris (Alfred Molina), who views the truth as an obstacle rather than a goal.
As the legal battle unfolds, involving figures like the local prosecutor (Ann Magnuson) and a family friend (John Heard), the Ryans are forced to confront the possibility that they don’t truly know their own son—and that the cost of his freedom might be the total destruction of their moral souls.
Liam Neeson and Edward Furlong in Before and After (Photo/Hollywood Pictures)
Reception for Before and After
Before and After grossed $4 million on its opening weekend, finishing seventh at the box office.
The film would gross $15 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
The legacy of Before and After lies in its status as a foundational “prestige” domestic thriller, a precursor to modern hits like Defending Jacob.
While it was met with mixed reviews upon release for its deliberate pace, it has aged into a fascinating case study of 90s star-driven drama.
Its legacy is anchored by the pairing of Streep and Neeson, whose clashing philosophies on parenthood provide the film’s most enduring tension.
The movie is remembered for its refusal to provide easy catharsis or a traditional “action” climax, choosing instead to focus on the slow, agonizing erosion of the nuclear family.
Before and After remains a notable entry in Schroeder’s filmography for its chilly, clinical visual style and its disturbing question: if your child committed the unthinkable, would you choose the truth or the lie?
