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Amazon.co.uk Review
Robin Williams and Annabella Sciorra star in this visually stunning metaphysical tale of life after death. Neurologist Chris and artist Annie had the perfect life until they lost their children in an auto accident; they're just starting to recover when Chris meets an untimely death himself. He's met by a messenger named Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and taken to his own personal afterlife--a freshly drawn world reminiscent of Annie's own artwork, still dripping and wet with paint. Meanwhile a depressed Annie takes her own life, compelling Chris to traverse heaven and hell to save Annie from an eternity of despair.
The multitextured visuals seem to have been created from a lost fairy tale. Heaven recalls the landscape paintings of Thomas Cole and Renaissance architecture complete with floating cherubs, while hell is a massive shipwreck, an upside-down cathedral overgrown with thorns and a sea of groaning faces popping out of the ground (one of those faces is German director Werner Herzog). Williams is the perfect actor to play against the imaginative computer-generated imagery--he himself is a human special effect. But the lack of chemistry between Williams and Sciorra is painfully apparent, and the flashback plot structure flattens the story's impact despite its deeply felt examinations of the heart and the spirit. Still, there's no denying Eugenio Zanetti's triumphant production design and the Oscar-winning special effects, which create a fully formed universe that is at once beautiful, eerie, and a unique example of movie magic. --Shannon Gee
Special Features
2.35 Anamorphic Wide Screen
DVD 5
German
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English German
Dolby Digital 5.1
Interactive Menus
Original Theatrical Trailer
Cast And Crew Interviews
German
DVD 5
German
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English German
Dolby Digital 5.1
Interactive Menus
Original Theatrical Trailer
Cast And Crew Interviews
German
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is one of my favourites, out of any I've yet seen.
Why so? Well, to begin with, it's visually a real masterpiece. If you're an artist, or just love beauty, you are very likely to be thrilled by the visuals, which are really very psychedelic!
One of the other reasons I love this film, (and often lend it out) is the central theme concerning life after death. I've worked with a lot of people who are feeling very suicidal, and for many long years have deeply studied the whole topic of life after death.
I've also had some very 'near misses' myself, and gained personal insights...
This film depicts the most 'realistic' appraisal of what heaven (and hell) is like, over and above any other cinematic representation I've yet seen, and so is effectively very 'educational' in that respect. By this I mean that 'hell', or 'Hades' isn't, --to the best of my knowledge-- as many religions indicate, a place of flames and heat, but more often a very chilly, foggy, very lonely sort of place, --more especially for those who've taken their own lives, or have lived very selfish, materialistic lives and / or done much harm to others.
In the same vein, 'Heaven', (aka: 'The Summerlands', the 'Astral Plane', the 'Subtle World' and etc) is well-depicted in this movie, -as being a place where all our thoughts and desires and creations are instantly made into form, -- and the place, or plane, is alive with transcendent colour, (and sounds) far richer and a hundred times more spectacular and breathtaking than anything possible on our much more mundane 'Earth plane'.
Another theme echoed in this film is the notion of: "Omnia vincit amor" (Love conquers all) so our hero (Robin Williams) is, in this movie (if not in any actuality?) able to clamber about in the Lower Spheres in order to find and rescue his beloved wife from the dire fate she bestowed upon herself, -by ending her life too soon; -- { forsooth, the lords of Karma might have a thing or two to say about that! }
The supposed adept, Shakespeare, knew a few secrets about life... and death, and to those familiar with Hamlet, they will recognise the film's title:
"To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil... "
People unacquainted with (and thus ignorant of) the topics of karma, and the continuation of human consciousness after death of the physical body may (and do!) often cynically scoff at the notion that any of this stuff has any bearing on reality, but hey... (as Shakespeare also said) ::
"There's more to heaven and earth Horatio, than this world dreams of!"
Why so? Well, to begin with, it's visually a real masterpiece. If you're an artist, or just love beauty, you are very likely to be thrilled by the visuals, which are really very psychedelic!
One of the other reasons I love this film, (and often lend it out) is the central theme concerning life after death. I've worked with a lot of people who are feeling very suicidal, and for many long years have deeply studied the whole topic of life after death.
I've also had some very 'near misses' myself, and gained personal insights...
This film depicts the most 'realistic' appraisal of what heaven (and hell) is like, over and above any other cinematic representation I've yet seen, and so is effectively very 'educational' in that respect. By this I mean that 'hell', or 'Hades' isn't, --to the best of my knowledge-- as many religions indicate, a place of flames and heat, but more often a very chilly, foggy, very lonely sort of place, --more especially for those who've taken their own lives, or have lived very selfish, materialistic lives and / or done much harm to others.
In the same vein, 'Heaven', (aka: 'The Summerlands', the 'Astral Plane', the 'Subtle World' and etc) is well-depicted in this movie, -as being a place where all our thoughts and desires and creations are instantly made into form, -- and the place, or plane, is alive with transcendent colour, (and sounds) far richer and a hundred times more spectacular and breathtaking than anything possible on our much more mundane 'Earth plane'.
Another theme echoed in this film is the notion of: "Omnia vincit amor" (Love conquers all) so our hero (Robin Williams) is, in this movie (if not in any actuality?) able to clamber about in the Lower Spheres in order to find and rescue his beloved wife from the dire fate she bestowed upon herself, -by ending her life too soon; -- { forsooth, the lords of Karma might have a thing or two to say about that! }
The supposed adept, Shakespeare, knew a few secrets about life... and death, and to those familiar with Hamlet, they will recognise the film's title:
"To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil... "
People unacquainted with (and thus ignorant of) the topics of karma, and the continuation of human consciousness after death of the physical body may (and do!) often cynically scoff at the notion that any of this stuff has any bearing on reality, but hey... (as Shakespeare also said) ::
"There's more to heaven and earth Horatio, than this world dreams of!"
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
What a tear-jerker.Starring the wonderful Robin Williams as Chris Neilson and Annabell Sciorra (Annie his wife). The story is about their intense love and the journey that life (and death) takes them on. Have a large box of tissues handy!
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Visually stunning - with Very Special effects.
Script is disappointing in places - thought I was seeing a movie that would spawn many similar at the time - though not to be - this movie stands out alone as a representation of the "Afterlife" like no other movie I have seen.
If you have ever questioned continued existence after 'death' I urge you to see this movie.
From a very human story of grief and love lost - it becomes a passionate epic of searching - pining - and eventually reuniting. Painful at times to share the characters experiences, but ultimately - if actually considered - the movie might even change your perspective.
I loved it.
Script is disappointing in places - thought I was seeing a movie that would spawn many similar at the time - though not to be - this movie stands out alone as a representation of the "Afterlife" like no other movie I have seen.
If you have ever questioned continued existence after 'death' I urge you to see this movie.
From a very human story of grief and love lost - it becomes a passionate epic of searching - pining - and eventually reuniting. Painful at times to share the characters experiences, but ultimately - if actually considered - the movie might even change your perspective.
I loved it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Superb film
If ever there was a topic more relevant to all of us, it's this. Speaking as an 'ex' medical professional and scientist, I personally know, not theorise, that so much is unknown... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Ewan G. Mcneil
After life there is more. The end is just the beginning.
(THE FILM):
After Chris Nielsen (Williams) dies in an accident, he tries to remain close to his beautiful, mortal wife, Annie (Annabella Sciorra). Read more
After Chris Nielsen (Williams) dies in an accident, he tries to remain close to his beautiful, mortal wife, Annie (Annabella Sciorra). Read more
Published 2 months ago by S. F. husseiny
What Dreams May Come
Curl up and the sofa with coffee and biscuits and enjoy this film. Its a love story with a big differents.
Set in this world and the next. Read more
Set in this world and the next. Read more
Published 5 months ago by mojo12345
Oh dear
What a shame. I was recommended this film and being a slight fan of Robin Williams I thought I woudl give it a go. What a terrible film, I couldn't even get to the end. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. Sarah Platt
What's going on?
I bought this on the strength of the reviews... all i can say is most people are easily pleased I thought it was Rubbish!
Published 7 months ago by M. Share
Beautiful both visually and emotionally.
Robin Williams in a very serious role.This is a mind provoking film about life and death. Visually it is a real masterpiece of emotional colour and special effects. Read more
Published 9 months ago by MaryB
A brilliant, touching, happy film!
I had never heard of this film until it was recommended to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A beautiful touching film with a 'happy ending' to a sad beginning. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Carolyn Nelson
Robin Williams
Robin Williams is such a sincere actor this film was made for him. Very thought provoking, whether you believe or not you cant help but feel for the characters in this film. Read more
Published 13 months ago by PJ
lovely film
had seen this film on tv a long time ago..and never forgot it..decided to buy it so i could watch it whenever i wanted to..a beautiful film..one of the best...
Published 14 months ago by Fran Roy
Afterlife
This DVD was recommended to me by someone I have alot of respect for. It is a very moving display of what happens after Robin Williams' character dies.
Published 15 months ago by Gerry
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