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 Bobby's
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 people's 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 King's, 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 King's "Misery" has done a faithful
adaptation of the book and delivered a touching and enjoyable
story.
There are elements of King's "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
4 stars out of 5
Gareth
Von Kallenbach
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