This movie represents a sort of understated filmmaking that has sadly gone out of style. Nowadays most movies fall into two camps: "Bloated cgi action-packed", or "deliberately artsy and slow". The China Syndrome has superb pacing: it's a steady never-boring burn.
I was riveted by the editing, acting, and writing from the first moment of the movie. Jack Lemmon is an infinitely watchable actor, and he does not disappoint in this film. The man was a national treasure. There's a scene early on at the power plant that just would not have "worked" without an actor of his caliber. The storytelling he can convey with no words, just his face, is a privilege to behold. Jane Fonda holds her own and then some. She's a sympathetic character whose plight touches on themes of feminism without hitting you over the head with it. As the film goes on, Fonda shows more and more why her character deserves a shot at better news opportunities, and her performance at the finale of the film had me shedding tears along with her... as well as shaking with rage.
10/10.
I was riveted by the editing, acting, and writing from the first moment of the movie. Jack Lemmon is an infinitely watchable actor, and he does not disappoint in this film. The man was a national treasure. There's a scene early on at the power plant that just would not have "worked" without an actor of his caliber. The storytelling he can convey with no words, just his face, is a privilege to behold. Jane Fonda holds her own and then some. She's a sympathetic character whose plight touches on themes of feminism without hitting you over the head with it. As the film goes on, Fonda shows more and more why her character deserves a shot at better news opportunities, and her performance at the finale of the film had me shedding tears along with her... as well as shaking with rage.
10/10.