Based on the memoirs of Vera Brittain and her experiences in World War 1, TESTAMENT OF YOUTH is the heart-breaking and riveting tale of a young woman fighting to make her way in a world torn apart by war.
The film opens with the young Vera (Alicia Vikander) fighting for a chance to attend Oxford University, despite both her father and society as a whole generally disregarding the aspirations of the young women of that time. Love enters her life in the form of Rowland (Kit Harington) and Vera has a chance at being truly happy, until World War 1 breaks out. Her brother, her lover, her friends… everything she knows and loves is torn away. Vera must come to terms with a new set of aspirations, joining the war effort as a volunteer nurse both to keep her mind occupied and to help, just in case she is needed by those she loves.
From beautiful country landscapes to the haunting imagery of the trenches, the settings are stunningly depicted throughout the whole film. Colouring alone is used to great effect, carefree and happy scenes down by the river in Yorkshire contrasted against the volunteer stations in the midst of the war. From brightness to grainy colours, the shots manipulate the mood of the film and help create the omnipresent feeling of desperation.
… an emotional turmoil of love and loss …
The performances do the film great credit. Alicia Vikander as Vera is a superb casting choice, and considering the emotional strain of playing such a character, her work can only be applauded for the level of emotion she was able to portray throughout the whole film. The male cast – Harington, Colin Morgan and Taron Egerton – also effectively show the impact of the war from the perspective of the young men sent off to the front lines.
After its initial opening scenes, the two-hour film is a harrowing reminder of the true devastation of war: an emotional turmoil of love and loss. There is no relief throughout the entire film, and a moment is needed to simply breathe at the end and regain the senses. However, there is no room for relief. It is heavy-going, but done in a way that is acceptable. Its basis on a true story lends it all the more impact: TESTAMENT OF YOUTH pays harrowing tribute to a woman who survived the heartbreak and anguish of a devastating war.
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