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HEARTS IN
ATLANTIS
HEARTS
IN ATLANTIS DVD FEATURES
Region Reviewed: Region 1
Number of Discs: 1
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1
Picture: 2.35:1
Anamorphic
Special
Features: Interview
with Scott Hicks and Anthony Hopkins, Theatrical Trailer,
Feature-Length Audio Commentary with Director Scott Hicks,
Stills Gallery
Hearts
In Atlantis Plot:
A poignant drama based on Stephen King's best seller, Hearts
in Atlantis is the story of a mysterious man (Oscar winner
Anthony Hopkins) who enlists the aid of a young boy (Anton
Yelchin) to save his life.
Hearts In Atlantis Review:Childhood
for many is a magical time when a person can let their imagination
run wild and dream of being anything that they wish to become.
It is also a time of innocence and simplicity for many before
the pressures of life have had a chance to burden the dreams
and hopes that we had when we were young.
It is a time when having something ranging from a bike to a
baseball glove can seem to be the most important thing in the
world, and when your friends can be the most important people
in your life.
Sadly time has a way of catching up to all of us, and childhood
dreams of being an astronaut, fireman, cowboy, or police officer
often fade and we peruse more realistic, if less satisfying
careers and paths in our lives.
Who among us has not at one point in our lives looked back to
when we were younger and though how much easier life was then,
and if we would have known then what we know now how much different
would things have become?
Such is the premise for the new film Hearts in Atlantis
based upon the popular Stephen King book of the same name.
The film starts in modern times when a photographer, Bobby Garfield
(David Morse) learns that one of his two childhood friends has
passed away. Since his family is a way on a ski trip, Bobby
heads to the funeral, only to learn that his other childhood
friend, and his first love, recently died as well.
Despondent over the news, Bobby returns to his childhood home
to find it condemned and boarded up. Realizing that the years
since he last lived in the house have past like a blink, Bobby
takes a trip down memory lane to the early 60;s when he last
lived in the house.
Bobby is being raised by his widowed mother Elizabeth (Hope
Davis), who seems more concerned with having a stylish wardrobe,
and complaining about their lack of money and how little Bobbys
father left them, then spending time with her son.
Forced to take in a boarder to earn extra income, the lives
of Bobby and his friend will soon be changed forever by the
arrival of Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins).
Young Bobby(Anton Yelchin), quickly befriends the mysterious
Ted, and despite concerns from his mother, begins working for
Ted by reading the paper to him daily. Bobby is thrilled by
Ted, and loves the money that he makes as it is bringing him
closer to the bike he has coveted for ages.
When he is not reading to Ted, Bobby spends time with his two
best friends, Sully(Will Rothaar), and Carol(Mika Boorem), and
having a great time, when not being bothered by the local bullies.
Bobby is instructed by Ted to keep an eye out for The
Loman, people Ted describes as being secret and to be
avoided. Bobby think this is just a wives tale, but promises
Ted he will keep his eyes open. Ted thrills Bobby with his wealth
of knowledge, and despite odd trances that seem to come over
Ted, Bobby becomes very fond of his older friend.
In time, Bobby learns that Ted avoids touching people, as he
has the power to see into peoples minds, and if touched,
he can pass this ability on to others for a limited time. Too
many this is a gift, but to Ted, it is a burden.
Before long, the Loman, do arrive, and Ted is forced to once
again, consider fleeing, but the situation is more complicated
that it seems, and Ted, Bobby, and his friends are faced with
making tough choices as they attempt to resolve the situation
they have to make adult choices for the first time in their
lives.
The film is a very tender sweet film that is heavily nostalgic
for a simpler time. Hearts is more in the line of Stand
By Me than many of Kings, more horrific films. The
emphasis was not on horror, and gore, rather on mystery and
wonder as the PG-13 rating of the film validates. While there
are scenes of violence in the film, they are not as graphic
as many other films today. Director Scott Hicks paces the film
in a crisp manner and gets fantastic performances from his cast,
especially young Yelchin and Boorem. Hicks recently directed
Snow Falling on Cedars and shows that he has a fantastic
eye for capturing the visuals of a different time and place,
all of which adds to the serene setting where the film takes
place. Hopkins is fantastic as Ted as his wisdom and gentleness
hides the inner turmoil he shows as a man who is hiding his
gifts from being used for what he believes is wrong.
While his gifts and the nature of the Lowman are not fully explained,
the audience has a good idea as to what is going on, and the
mystery surrounding them fits with the way a child would see
them, as this is a story told through an 11 year old child.
Writer William Goldman whose many credits include The
Generals Daughter, and Kings Misery
has done a faithful adaptation of the book and delivered a touching
and enjoyable story.
There are elements of Kings It and The
Dead Zone in the film, such as the bond of friends, and
being able to see things via touching, but without the scares,
and gore of the previous works. This is a film that parents
can take teens to see, although be warned, there are a couple
of intense scenes in the film.
All in all, a very solid and enjoyable film
Hearts In Atlantis Disc Review:
Interview with Scott Hicks and Anthony Hopkins,
Theatrical Trailer, Feature-Length Audio Commentary with Director
Scott Hicks,
Stills Gallery. Fairly standard