The China / Fukushima Syndrome | Far Flungers
The film's unobtrusive style serves Lemmon and other talented actors well. Jane Fonda was Oscar-nominated along with Lemmon for one of her strongest performances in the 1970s. Like Lemmon, she convincingly depicts her character's transformation, and the scene where she cannot help but lose her objectivity as a reporter in front of a camera is heartbreaking. Michael Douglas, who also produced the movie, competently plays a character different from what we usually associate with him now. As Godell's close friend and assistant Ted Spindler, Wilford Brimley gives a subdued but impressive acting that started his long supporting actor career. Although he cares about his friend, Spindler does not want to get himself in trouble and chooses to go along with others -- but there is a breaking point where he decides that enough is enough.
There are some dated aspects in the film due to social changes and technological advancements during last 32 years, but it still effectively raises the question on the safety of nuclear power. It is well-known movie trivia that the Three Mile Island nuclear accident happened less than two weeks after the movie was released in US. But there had been several accidents more serious than that, and, as we know, there also have been other big and small cases after that -- including the Fukushima I nuclear accident, which is considered be the second largest nuclear accident after Chernobyl.
It is possible that many things can go wrong even with best efforts and intentions. There are the factors beyond our control like the earthquake and tsunamis, and, as the movie points out, there are also human errors. Can we live with that risk? Whether you like it or not, the nuclear power will be one of main energy source options after we run out of oil, and that question will not be easy to answer.
Overall, "The China Syndrome" is a terrific thriller that not only makes you think about its subject but also makes you agitated a lot with the chilling possibility in its subject. Rarely do movies activate an alarm in my head with pure gut-chilling effect, and this is one of few ones capable of that. It can happen; and we know that too well.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7s7vGnqmempWnwW%2BvzqZmn5miYrOtwc2gZJynoqeytLzOp5uepqSofLW0xGaaoaGelnpustSkrKygmaKubr%2FYp5urp52a