I vaguely remember watching April Morning (1988) in junior high, and it holds up better than the treacly Johnny Tremaine. A Hallmark Hall of Fame production, this adaptation of Howard Fast's novel provides a low-key portrait of the Battles of Lexington and Concord - the opening round of the American War for Independence.Fifteen year old Adam Cooper (Chad Lowe) grows up in Lexington, Massachusetts. Father Moses (Tommy Lee Jones) disapproves of Adam's childish ways, while mother Sarah (Susan Blakely) is more tolerant. Eager to prove himself, Adam signs up for the militia as the British army marches for Concord. A clash becomes inevitable, especially with patriot Solomon Chandler (Rip Torn) stirring up trouble. Adam's swept up in the battle between British troops and colonials, the first step towards American independence.
For a story pitched at young adults, April Morning is remarkably somber. Screenwriter James Lee Barrett avoids flag-waving, offering instead a muted, mature drama. Faced with a stern father, the flirtatious Ruth (Meredith Salenger) and outbreak of violence, Adam's forced to grow up too fast - conveniently embodying nascent America. The violence is rough and dirty; friends and family die ingloriously and even the British are humanized. Morning argues for necessity rather than glory; in Fast's view, Lexington's farmers have no choice but to take up arms.
Delbert Mann makes the most of his modest budget. Frank Tidy's photography of the Massachusetts countryside looks gorgeous, helped by Mann's effective staging. The initial clash between Redcoats and Minutemen is particularly impressive; Mann builds the suspense with the British column ominously heralded by far-off drumbeats, then massing into position. Other action scenes are less inspired, modest firefights (the larger-scale Concord battle's left off-screen) and the authenticity occasionally flags (the British officers with clearly American accents). For a TV movie though it's effective enough.
Chad Lowe is fine as callow boy but doesn't handle Adam's quick maturation. Fortunately, more seasoned costars pick up the slack. Tommy Lee Jones is dependably solid, while Robert Urich makes the most of an underwritten character. Rip Torn's flamboyant agitator steals every scene. Susan Blakely and Joan Heney do well in the margins; Meredith Salenger makes a likeable love interest.
April Morning mixes simple storytelling and thoughtful characterization. It's no masterpiece, but given the dearth of good Revolutionary War films it's worth checking out.
