Review of Testament of Youth (2015) by Dann M — 24 Feb 2016

Based on the acclaimed novel, Testament of Youth is a provocative war drama that follows the experiences of Vera Brittain. After the breakout of World War I both her boyfriend and her brother enlist in England's army, and before long Vera herself feels the call to serve and drops out of university in order to be a voluntary nurse as part of England's war effort.

Alicia Vikander gives an excellent performance that's quite impassioned, really capturing the character's struggles. The sets and costumes are also remarkably well-done, giving an authentic look and feel for the time period.

However, there are some awkwardly inserted poetry scenes that don't really flow with the realistic tone of the film. And, the message is rather understated for such an influential novel. Yet Testament of Youth is a powerful film, and does an excellent job at portraying the unglamorous realities of war.