AFTER

US, 2019, 105 minutes, Colour.
Josephine Langford, Hero finds to fan, Khadija Red Thunder, Dylan Arnold, Shane Paul McGhie?, Selma Blair, Peter Gallagher, Jennifer Beals.
Directed by Jenny Gage.

The meaning of “review� came to the fore while watching After. In fact, older audiences will have viewed this basic story many times over the years so that watching this After is a kind of re-view. But, it is clear that the intention of the filmmakers was not to bring in an older audience. The intention was to make a film for audiences about the same age as the two central characters.

We are told, rather solemnly, Tessa (a generally sympathetic Josephine Langford) that she cannot find the words for what happened “after�. So, we go into flashback into “before�.

There are no particular spoilers in describing what happens in the film! Tessa is an only daughter, protected by her mother after her husband abandoned her and her daughter. Tessa is not only protected but her mother is protective, moulding her daughter so that she will not make the same mistakes. Then, off Tessa goes to college, driven by her boyfriend from high school. We sense almost immediately that he is bound for disappointment.

The film shows as something of college life, mother suspicious of the roommates (nose rings, drug allusions…). Tessa is bookish, wants to study, is challenged to go to a party, trapped in a game of truth or dare. The dare to the dark, enigmatic Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) who turns out to be the son of the Chancellor of the University is to make out with Tessa. She walks out.

With reference to Wuthering Heights, Hardin is dark, morose, somewhat mysterious (all to do with his alcoholic father and his neglect in England, hence Hardin’s British accent – though he belongs to the acting Fiennes family).

Inevitably, Tessa and Hardin are attracted to each other, proving that the same stories occur over all the generations.

However, there is an emotional twist, Tessa hurt by the manipulations of some in the student group, Hardin and the revelation of a callous secret.

For older audiences there is a pleasure in seeing Peter Gallagher as the professor and a gracious and charming Jennifer Beals as his wife (35 years after Flashdance). And, for older audiences who find it very difficult to watch those other campus comedies, those of the raucous kind, this one is comparatively calm, without those noisy and crude shenanigans.

At the time of After’s release, there was information that a sequel, After We Collided, is in pre-production.

1. The title? The before and after? Tessa’s perspective?

2. The familiar story, over many generations? The romance, the unlikely pairing, the romantic episodes, the disillusionment and disappointment?

3. The film made in Georgia, the city of Atlanta, homes, the University, rooms, the countryside in the woods? The musical score?

4. Tessa’s story, her age, preparing to go to college, Noah as her boyfriend, her mother, her husband leaving her, her protective care of Tessa, preparation to leave, the drive to the University, her mother disapproving of her roommates and their look, manner, styles?

5. Tessa taking the opportunity to have some freedom from her mother, her economics degree, motivations, her love of books? The roommate and the contempt for books?

6. Tessa being forced to go to the party, her roommate and friends? The mysterious Hardin? (Echoes of Wuthering Heights…?) Tessa uncomfortable, the truth or dare game, testing whether she was a virgin, opting for dare, for Hardin to make love, her walking out?

7. The gradual change, Hardin and his more gentle approach, Tessa’s response, the romantic interludes, at the college, in the countryside, special places? Audience responding to each of the characters and their love?

8. The house, the owners away, Hardin inviting Tessa to move in? Their life together?

9. Noah, his visit, Tessa returning home after being with Hardin, his upset? His telling Tessa’s mother, her concern and visit, finding the two together?

10. Hardin, his father, the professor, the story of his past drinking and neglect of his son? His marrying again, the charm of his new wife? Her son, student, initially befriending Tessa, becoming something of a confidant?

11. The spiteful friend, texting Hardin, Tessa upset, following him, the revelation with the video, Hardin and his dare? Is Trying to explain to Tessa? Audiences believing him not?

12. The dramatic presentation of After? Anticipation of Then Afterwards?