Synopsis
While doing a series of reports on alternative energy sources, opportunistic reporter Kimberly Wells witnesses an accident at a nuclear power plant. Wells is determined to publicize the incident, but soon finds herself entangled in a sinister conspiracy to keep the full impact of the incident a secret.
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Cast
- Jane FondaKimberly Wells
- Jack LemmonJack Godell
- Michael DouglasRichard Adams
- Scott BradyHerman De Young
- James HamptonBill Gibson
- Peter DonatDon Jacovich
- Wilford BrimleyTed Spindler
- Richard HerdEvan McCormack
- Daniel ValdezHector Salas
- Stan BohrmanPete Martin
Recommendations
- 100
Chicago Sun-Times
The movie is, above all, entertainment: well-acted, well-crafted, scary as hell. - 100
The New York Times
James Bridges's smashingly effective, very stylish suspense melodrama. - 100
Washington Post
A terrific film, the triumphant culmination of many elements that have been attempted in previous ambitious films. This has a wealth of true movie ingredients: two or three meaty subjects handled with naturalistic ambiguity, suspense, a variety of interestingly developing characters finely acted, excitement and authenticity laced with restrained satire. [16 March 1979, p.19] - 91
The A.V. Club
Ultimately, Lemmon's performance is what makes The China Syndrome work: The script contains its share of technical jargon and clunky exposition, but his subtle transformation from complacency to anger to panic tells the story in raw emotional terms. The China Syndrome is ultimately a story about how the potential for human error can trump science and reason, and few actors have ever been as unmistakably human as Lemmon. - 80
Empire
Technology, as ever, is examined through a pessimistic prism, but the script is equipped with enough jargon and detail to expose the work and responsibility of the filmmakers. - 80
Time Out
All a bit too earnest, despite the seriousness of the subject, with Fonda setting her jaw and stepping into father's footsteps as Tinseltown's very own protector of humanity; but it's tightly scripted and directed, and genuinely tense in places. - 80
Chicago Reader
For director James Bridges, the film looks like a hack job, particularly after the personal anguish of 9/30/55, but it's a very good hack job: strong, simple, and perfectly paced, until the last reel flounders in a bit of overkill. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
The sometimes self-conscious and too-earnest Fonda and the occasionally hammy Lemmon both rise beautifully to the occasion, delivering performances that are among their best.
