Starring: Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, Scott Brady, James Hampton Directed By: James Bridges Average Rating: Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: VHS Tape Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC Label: Sony Pictures Number of Items: 1 Release Date: June 04, 1996 Running Time: 123 minutes Theatrical Release Date: March 16, 1979
Amazon.com essential video: James Bridges (Urban Cowboy, Bright Lights, Big City) directed this 1979 film that became a worldwide sensation when, just weeks after its release, the Three Mile Island nuclear accident occurred. Jane Fonda (Klute, Julia) plays a television news reporter who is not taken very seriously until a routine story at the local nuclear power plant leads her to what may be a cover-up of epic proportions. She and her cameraman, played by Michael Douglas (Wall Street, American President), hook up with a whistleblower at the plant, played by Jack Lemmon (Save the Tiger, Missing). Together they try to uncover the dangers lurking beneath the nuclear reactor and avoid being silenced by the business interests behind the plant. Though topical, the film (produced by Douglas) works on its own as a socially conscious thriller that entertains even as it spurs its audience to think. --Robert Lane
Conspiracy and the media; one lethal combination... The first time I watched `The China Syndrome' it seemed dated, but then I realized that I was merely focusing on the production value and that, obviously, is going to appear dated. That's when I decided to watch it again and focus on the relativity of the story, and that's when I saw it in a whole new light. Sure, `The China Syndrome' is not perfect, but it truly hits its mark on many levels and delivers a finely crafted drama that has resonance even today.
So the film revolves around an incident that takes place at a nuclear power plant. News reporter Kimberly Wells and her cameraman happen to catch the incident on camera, and while they are unaware of what it all means they know that it is bigger than the plant wants to let on. That's where Jack Godell fits into the story. Jack works at the plant, witnessed the incident and while everyone around him is urging him to forget about the whole thing he can't help but pursue the possibility that something is very, very wrong. With his help, Kimberly may now finally have the story of her career, the story that will make her career, but getting Godell to cooperate is going to be hard.
`The China Syndrome', referring to the possibility that a nuclear power plant meltdown would melt through the earth and reach China, attacks the concept with fluidity and delicacy, never going too far over the top and losing probability. The acting is also something that really aids the film, elevating the emotional aspects of the film.
Both Jack Lemmon and Jane Fonda received Oscar nominations for their work on the film, and those nominations were very well deserved. I was critical of Lemmon when I reviewed `Missing' a few weeks back, calling him out on his uncomfortable approach to his dramatic acting. He is a marvelous comedian, and his brilliant work in `The Apartment' and `Some Like it Hot' prove that, but as a dramatic actor I am left a little cold. Here he is fantastic; delivering a very well thought out and well fleshed out portrayal of a man battling his own emotions and his own conscience to make a decision that could ultimately cost him everything. The uneasiness behind his eyes works wonders for his character development. Jane Fonda is wonderful as well as Kimberly, the aspiring reporter trying to make a name for herself in a male dominated world. Her final moments are brilliant, and while Lemmon certainly outshines her, she never allows her character to become forgotten.
I should also mention that Michael Douglas, an actor whom I think is a tad overrated, actually turns in one of his most interesting performances to date (aside from his work in `Wall Street').
One thing to notice about `The China Syndrome' is that it is as much a film about television and the media as it is about big business and conspiracy. It subtly, yet effectively shows the audience the effect big business has on the media and what we as the citizens are allowed to know based on what they want to tell us. We are never allowed to know the full truth, only what the men with money want us to know; basically enough to keep us quiet. This is a major problem even today (who can trust what they read anymore) and it's up to films like `The China Syndrome' to make us as a people more aware of the growing problem.
The China Syndrome The China Syndrome really is a great movie. Shows you cant believe everything the media says. This thought provoking movie is in the vein of "Silkwood", "Norma Rae" and more recently, "North Country". I cant wait until a movie comes out about the 2008 Presidential Primary race: Hillary Clinton received more votes than any of her rivals, and more votes than any other Presidential Primary candidate in History.
The China Syndrome One of the best movies Ive ever seen! Great cast and Jack Lemon is superb!
The China Syndrome I grew up with these guys and gals on TV. Thought the seventy's and eighty's and even the ninety's. This movie made me think. This really happened in Russia. I really like the movie, some spots in the movie I had a ruff time watching. One for instance was where the plant manager was in the control room holding some of the workers and camera crew kind of hostages, trying to convince the government that the plant was unsafe. The Plant manager finally was shot dead in the end and the plants crew where interviewed on Camera at the end. The plant manager didn't need to be shot to death, they could have taken him to the loony been.
One of the best of the 1970's Great film of the late 1970;s with a powerful message; Corporations with too much power abuse the rights of others- it holds so much truer today where corporations have made ordinary people into nearly slaves.
Jack Lemmon gives a brilliant multi faceted performance, while Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas give equally excellent performances.
Stephen Bishop's 'Somewhere In Between' opens the film during credits, and sets the film off wonderfully.
The film looks like 1978- the hair, the clothes and the technology are certainly fun to look at- so obviously dated now (I was 27 when the film was released in early 1979- so I remember it all so well. We did dress badly then-
An important film nonetheless, that I enjoy more after every viewing.
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