TESTAMENT OF YOUTH
Director: James Kent
Cast: Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Emily Watson, Hayley Atwell, Dominic West, Miranda Richardson, Taron Egerton
Rating: (M)
Three and a half stars (out of five)
First published in 1933, Brittain's memoir Testament of Youth, covering the years 1900 to 1925, is a harrowing depiction of war through the eyes of woman battling sexism, hardship and grief.
As the only daughter in a well-heeled family, Vera's (Vikander) closest companion is her brother Edward (Taron Egerton).
Battling the prejudice of her father (Dominic West) who can see no reason why she should gain higher education at Oxford University, Vera manages to pass the entrance exams just as Britain is about to be thrust into conflict.
With a parallel romance narrative based on Brittain's engagement to Roland Leighton (Kit Harington), the main focus becomes Brittain's decision to abandon her studies to volunteer as a nurse.
Staged at what sometimes feels like a glacial pace, Brittain's story certainly warrants much of the languid exposition lavishly captured on camera.
Frequently cutting to close-ups of Vikander's face, her expression and emotional prowess really help sell the horror she is immersed in.
Testament of Youth heightens the horror of war without even firing a shot.
But, at just over two hours, it would have benefited from a more judicious edit.
The film does feel a little like a made-for-TV miniseries jammed into one.
- Mark Orton
