jcbutthead86 That Was Then...This Is Now is decent 80s Teen film and although it is filled with good direction and great performances it is still the weakest S.E Hinton film adaptation but still has good things about it.Based on S.E Hinton's novel,That Was Then...This Is Now tells the story of Bryon(Craig Sheiffer)and Mark(Emilo Estevez)two teens that have been best friends since childhood almost like brothers,stealing cars,getting Into fights with rivals,and living carefree, but when Bryon starts dating a girl from their childhood named Cathy(Kim Delaney),a tragic event that changes their lives and their teenage years fading away they both realize that That Was Then...This Is Now.S.E Hinton is one of my favorite authors and I had seen the film adaptations The Outsiders,Rumble Fish and Tex and loved them and also read her books and loved them as well. That Was Then...This Is Now was a great book that I loved but was the only film adaptation I hadn't seen. I finally saw this film and while the film is not as good as the book there is still some good and decent things about the film. The movie That Was Then...This Is Now is easily the weakest of the S.E Hinton film adaptations and they're things that work and don't work. One of the things that works is the main characters,realistic feel and atmosphere. Bryon and Mark's relationship in the film authentic and real and you feel like they could be real brothers,especially since they're living in a harsh setting and you feel like Bryon and Mark would have each other's back no matter what. When things start to fall apart for Bryon and Mark and the characters start arguing and fighting with each other and Bryon and Mark's friendship and since of brotherhood starts to become strained and it's very believable and at times sad. The film depicts a dark and dangerous teenage world where things such as gang violence,fighting,drug use and drinking seems to always be the norm for Bryon and Mark as well as other characters who going by the laws of the streets and the film's atmosphere is sometimes very bleak and downbeat. The film also has a dark,gritty film-noir feel to it that you didn't see a lot in Teen Films at the time with great harsh lighting and photography and that's one of the things that I like about the film is that the photography gives the film a since of darkness and reality. Although the movie is well filmed and has great lighting it lacks the great and powerful cinematic feel that the other S.E Hinton movie adaptations The Outsiders,Rumble Fish and Tex had. The screenplay written by Estevez while good lacks the emotional punch that Hinton's novel had and the screenplay feels limited. Where In Hinton's novel we got to know more about the characters and there was more scenes with the characters,in the film we know the characters but there Isn't enough time in the film for development for the characters and the friendship between Bryon and Mark feels underdeveloped and small in the film compared to the book. I don't understand why the location and time period were changed from Oklahoma to Minnesota from 60's to 80's. I guess one of the main reasons the time period was changed was because of budget costs,but the location and time period change killed some of the important elements in the book and I guess Paramount Pictures and the filmmakers wanted something that teens in the 80s could relate to. And speaking of changes the biggest change and difference from the book is the movie's ending which destroy's the greatness of the novel's ending and it rings completely false. Where's the novel's ending was more powerful and sad the movie's is predictable and didn't belong in this film. Maybe because the novel's ending was very sad and truly pessimistic the ending had to change because in the 1980s optimistic endings were more accepted and sad endings such as the sad ending in the book weren't allowed during the 1980s. It's not Emilio Estevez's fault though blame Paramount Studios who told Estevez to change the ending in his screenplay.The cast does a good job in their roles. Emilio Estevez(who also wrote the screenplay)does a excellent job as Mark,bringing humor,anger and sadness to the role. Craig Sheiffer does a fantastic job as Bryon and has an good chemistry with Estevez. Morgan Freeman does a great job as Charlie the bartender the only grown up friend of Bryon and Mark. Kim Delaney does a wonderful job as Cathy,Bryon's girlfriend. Jill Schoelen gives a fabulous performance as Angela,Bryon's ex-girlfriend. Barbara Babcock is wonderful as Bryon's mom. Frank Howard does a great job as M&M,Cathy's spaced-out brother. Larry B. Scott gives a funny and memorable performance as Bryon and Mark's friend Terry. Christopher Cain does a fine job directing the film,bringing lots of energy and atmosphere to the film and always moving the camera.The score by Bill Cuomo and Keith Olsen is good and adds to the film's tone and feel. I also like songs Just Another Day(Oingo Boingo)and the title song That Was Then...This Is Now(Randy Wayne and Carroll Sue Hill).Overall That Was Then...This Is Now is a decent film on It's own with fine acting from the cast and good direction,but as an adaptation of the novel it's lacks what made the book so great. Recommended 7.5/10.

callanvass This is an excellent underrated film, that's often quite powerful and gripping, with a great story and amazing performances!. All the characters are excellent, and I was lucky enough to find this at my video store and buy it for 1$ at the VHS blow out sale, plus Emilio Estevez and Craig Sheffer are simply incredible in this!. The bond between Estevez and Sheffer really was incredible, and it was so sad when they started drifting apart, and Morgan Freeman has a small but very memorable part here as Charlie the bartender, plus the ending is really moving, and will really make you think, but it also leaves the viewer smiling!(you'll see what I mean when you watch it). I have not yet read the book but I did really enjoy this movie, and this is very well made and written as well, plus I felt sorry for Emilio's character. one of the most powerful scenes in the movie for me is when Bryan, and Mark get into a fight because Mark was responsible for giving drugs to M&M,and Estevez and Sheffer had brilliant chemistry together, plus this is truly an underrated gem. This is an excellent underrated film, that's often quite powerful and gripping, with a great story and amazing performances, and I say it's a must see for everyone!. The Direction is excellent!. Christopher Cain does an excellent! job here with awesome camera work, solid angles giving the film some good atmosphere and keeping it at an engrossing pace. The Acting is amazing!. Emilio Estevez is amazing as always and is incredible here, his character was a trouble maker, but was just so likable, that you are able to feel sorry for his character, I especially felt bad for him near the end, he also had brilliant chemistry with Craig Sheffer, brought lots of energy and charm to the role, and just did an amazing job this is one of his best performances! (Emilio Rules!!!!!!!). Craig Sheffer is just as good, he was really likable, and you will feel happy for him because he is getting his life on track and is growing up, it's just too bad his career never really took off, because he impressed the hell out of me here!. Jill Schoelen is very cute and does fine as Angela she had good chemistry with Sheffer and just seemed like a nice ordinary girl, I liked her lots. Kim Delaney does fine as the troubled teen I liked her. Morgan Freeman is amazing in his small role as the Bartender and as always couldn't take my eyes off him when he was on screen (Freeman Rules!!!!!!!). Rest of the cast are fine. Overall a must see for everyone!. ****1/2 out of 5

cinnamon_bun2003 That was then, this was now was, to my opinion, a pretty good movie, with plenty of action to keep you interested. The characters however, look different from what I imagined in the book. Still, Mark and Bryon made things interesting both in the book and the movie. A lot of the other characters, such as Cathy, M&M, Charlie, Angela, and the shepherd brothers also made the movie and the book interesting, especially near the end.

Travis Crafts ....should have stayed as one of those things that are always on the back burner! You know, that one kooky dream that just never materializes? If that was the case, I could see giving good 'ole Emilio a pat on the head and saying "That's it kid...keep reaching for the stars! Someday...just someday...you'll make it"!However, the sad fact is that Emilio made this movie. Hinton sold the rights, and that's OK. Emilio took the project and added his unique "brat-pack" qualities to it. So, the time frame is different. From 70's lifestyles to 80's. Crashpads to break dancing. Blue jeans to neon spandex. Harsh language is added. Mark and Bryon now swear like sailors.I can't say anymore about this film because my head is starting to hurt and I'm afraid my brain will explode. The class I work with will be posting their replies soon, so I now give you their unjaded opinions.