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Heartfelt A Review by |
| I've been looking
forward to this movie for quite some time now. I've read nearly every Stephen King book,
aside from the Dark Tower series and the book this movie is based upon. I knew this wasn't
typical King material, but I still was really looking forward to the film adaptation. As
always, the books are always better than the movie and in this case I was actually glad I
hadn't read the book. I was a blank slate and the movie would have to stand on it's own
legs. It's rare in these days of commercials, product tie-ins, and Internet leaks that you
can actually watch a movie without the majority of it already ruined for you. I went out
of my way to avoid any 'Hearts in Atlantis' news and even switched the channel if a
trailer popped up. Did the film live up to my blind expectations? First let's get to the plot. The movie centers around the childhood of Bobby Garfield and the time with his friends Carol and Sully. The movie is very reminiscent of 'Stand By Me' with it's centering on child companionship. But unlike 'Stand By Me', these kids are younger in age around 10 and 11 years old. Bobby lives at home with his bitchy mother and money is tight. To help with the bills the Garfields rent out the upstairs of their house. One day, Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins) moves into the upstairs apartment and things change greatly for Bobby and his friends. Ted is unlike anyone the children have ever met, he's on the run from people he calls "low men." One strange thing about Ted is the way he listens to the children and becomes one of the gang. Ted routinely teaches the children interesting things and even saves them from a gang of bullies. But the strangest thing about Ted is his apparent ability to see what people are thinking. This isn't some crazy unbelievable type psychic ability or some laughable Miss Cleo relationship information. Believe it or not, Ted's psychic ability comes off as completely plausible in this movie. And the way King ties it in with events from the past is interesting and ingenious. 'Hearts in Atlantis' isn't an exciting rollercoaster of events or a magical thriller. Instead it's a heartfelt look at a part of childhood that we all wish we could have back again. The interaction between Ted and the children is as touching as anything I've ever seen in a movie, and the friendship of the children makes me wish I never had to grow up. 'Hearts in Atlantis' is a tear jerker, there's no other way
to say it. But just like any sad movie, it's always worth the trouble. Afterwards you hug
people a little tighter, and you're smiles always feel a little better. This weekend, head
to the theaters and get a piece of your childhood back, watch 'Hearts in Atlantis.' |
-Now that you've read something, he's written. Wouldn't you like to find out more about Goc? Here you go. |
