The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

You've probably heard nothing bad about this Atom Egoyan film -- and if you have, it's a lie; discount it. Based on a Russell Banks novel, "The Sweet Hereafter" focuses on the aftermath of a fatal school bus crash in a small British Columbia town. Ian Holm is fantastic as Mitchell Stephens, the "big-city-but-down-to-earth" lawyer who travels there to rally a lawsuit in the name of the parents whose children died or were injured in the crash. And Sarah Polley is equally intriguing as Nicole, one of the survivors of the crash. Bruce Greenwood also delivers a strong supporting role as "Billy," one of the parents. The acting, in fact, is just one of the many strengths of this film. The cinematography is excellent, considering it's not the type of story that lends itself to great photography, and the editing weaves a narrative tapestry that will engulf you. This is one of the best films of 1997.

*** See More Reviews *** | www.georgethomasjr.com