The China Syndrome
Composite Score: 84.1
Starring: Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, Scott Brady, James Hampton, Peter Donat, Wilford Brimley, Richard Herd, and Daniel Valdez
Director: James Bridges
Writers: Mike Gray, T.S. Cook, and James Bridges
Genres: Drama, Thriller
MPAA Rating: PG
Box Office: $51.72 million worldwide
Why should you Watch This Film?
The China Syndrome is James Bridges’s journalistic thriller about a secondary news anchor and her camera crew who witness an accident at the local nuclear power plant and must work with one of the technicians to keep it from being swept under the rug. The film stars Jane Fonda as the rising star news anchor – Kimberly Wells – supported by Michael Douglas and Daniel Valdez as her cameraman Richard Adams and sound technician Hector Salas, as well as Jack Lemmon and Wilford Brimley as Jack Godell and Ted Spindler – employees who work at the plant and are concerned about fallout from the accident. The film’s focus on nuclear energy and the corruption and dangers that come with monetization of energy companies make it one of the more important films of the late-1970s. Combine that with its four Oscar nominations – set decoration, original screenplay, supporting actor (Lemmon), and lead actress (Fonda) – and you’ve got yourself one truly great film.
Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?
It’s easy to watch The China Syndrome and come away with simply anti-nuclear energy sentiments, but I think there’s more nuance to the film’s message than just that. Unfortunately, because of its focus on such a controversial type of energy production, it’s easy to miss the film’s criticism of the privatized energy company at the heart of its conflict. While there are clear dangers presented that arise from the use of nuclear energy, the real injustices and “evils” perpetrated in this film come from a company pursuing profit over protecting its employees or customers. If you’re looking for a simple “nuclear energy bad” story, this film isn’t satisfied with just that and pursues something deeper, at the expense of losing that message within its flashier themes.
So wait, why should you Watch This Film?
It’s not just the film’s engagement with consistently poignant themes that makes The China Syndrome so excellent. Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and Michael Douglas take this journalistic thriller to another level with each of their performances, making each other and the film better and better. Douglas brings a reckless level of firecracker-esque passion to his role as rogue, freelance cameraman. He’s every bit the wildcard that would spark the events of this film, carrying the film’s first act until the pace really starts to pick up. Fonda’s Kimberly is arguably the most dynamic character in the film, developing from career-oriented news anchor to activist dedicated to revealing the truth more than any other devotion. Her turn draws the audience in and showcases how the things she witnesses could impact your everyday, moderate citizen and spur them to activism if they are just willing to actively seek the truth. Lemmon is the true scene-stealer of the film, putting on a display of nervous energy to give Livingston from the Ocean’s movies a run for his money, but doing so in such a way as to earn the audience’s ear and that of Kimberly and her team. His impassioned plea to the public serves as the film’s climax, and he delivers the scene with everything it requires, lending it a sense of urgency that makes the final act one of the best in the genre.
The China Syndrome is a satisfying and thought-provoking journalistic thriller that reaches the heights of greatness thanks to strong showings from Michael Douglas, Jane Fonda, and Jack Lemmon. It’s important to pay attention to everything going on in the film in order to leave with the most complete understanding of what the film seeks to critique – doable, but easy to lose track of with the controversy of nuclear energy looming at its heart. It is available to rent on most streaming services if you’d like to check it out in the near future.
