- Actors: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., Annabella Sciorra, Max von Sydow, Jessica Brooks Grant
- Directors: Vincent Ward
- Writers: Ronald Bass, Richard Matheson
- Producers: Alan C. Blomquist, Barnet Bain, Erica Huggins, Ronald Bass, Scott Kroopf
- Language German
- Classification: 15
- Run Time: 113 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004RWWT
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 49,987 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
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
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I enjoyed this film not only for it's marvelous special effects but also for the deeply spirtual message conveyed by the plot. It manages to take influence from a wide range of religions and philosophies which gives it a sense of deeper meaning as it suggests what each of us would expect that religions and philosophy have only been glimpses of the truth rather than the whole truth. I found it very impressive that heaven was created by the persons thoughts. Some may misinterpret that people commiting suicide are sent to hell but this was no condemation but merely a result of the version of heaven created by the negative thinking of someone who has taken there own life. In effect the person condemming them was there self. This has strong parallels with real life because in effect each of us are creating our own heaven or hell by how we interpret our lives. It is amazing to see a film which has such depth and meaning to it in these days when special effects and action take precedence over interesting plots.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
"if you've recently lost a loved one then you might want to stear clear" or something like that.
Well, i think casting Robin Williams in this film was a good idea because we understand what he is like as an actor and a person... funny, lively, crazy, smiley... but also soppy, romantic, sensitive, lovable and loving... a man who fights against his own self pity.
The whole point of HIS heaven being a world filled only with images of his (still living) wifes painting is that they were soulmates of the highest order.
The fact that his two guides in heaven are in fact his own dead children gives comfort or understanding to people who like to think that there is someone there to look after us and that we will be there to look after those who come after us. Of course after a film like this you can't help but turn your thoughts to those around you who are alive and with you now.
I recommend this highly to anyone who has lost a loved one... but i recommend watching it alone.
5 stars for bravery and effort!
Well, i think casting Robin Williams in this film was a good idea because we understand what he is like as an actor and a person... funny, lively, crazy, smiley... but also soppy, romantic, sensitive, lovable and loving... a man who fights against his own self pity.
The whole point of HIS heaven being a world filled only with images of his (still living) wifes painting is that they were soulmates of the highest order.
The fact that his two guides in heaven are in fact his own dead children gives comfort or understanding to people who like to think that there is someone there to look after us and that we will be there to look after those who come after us. Of course after a film like this you can't help but turn your thoughts to those around you who are alive and with you now.
I recommend this highly to anyone who has lost a loved one... but i recommend watching it alone.
5 stars for bravery and effort!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I had actually read the book before watching this film, which was helpful as I was already aware of the story. Robin Williams, the main character, dies and does not realise at first that he is dead. He desperately wants to be able to speak to his wife, who is still alive. She later dies and they meet up in the afterlife. I found I enjoyed the book more as you had to use your own imagination, and sometimes the film did not match mine! However it is a beautiful film, very well acted. It is also a film which (if you enjoy the subject matter) you will want to watch again as first time round you might miss salient bits on first viewing.What Dreams May Come [DVD] [1998]
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
what dreams may come
I had read about this film and wanted to see it but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. If you're interested in theories about what happens after you die, this is the film for... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Robyn Harris
Absolutely Amazing
I watched this film years ago late one night on television and was totally moved by it. For several years I searched for this film (this was pre me having internet access at home)... Read more
Published 14 months ago by S Wilson
beautiful
I dont know how anyone can say that this is a depressing film, I found nothing but hope and love in it, I disagree with a former reviewer that there is a lack of chemistry between... Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2008 by Mrs. K. Ho
Wonderful, beautiful & thought provoking
THIS IS MY REVIEW OF THE FILM & NOT THE HD-DVD
I love this film & can't wait for it to be released on Blu-ray. Read more
I love this film & can't wait for it to be released on Blu-ray. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2008 by PhoenixElemental
brill
ok so how many words can you get out of a thesaurus that coincides with spectacular? this film is truly magnificent, its just one of those films which you dont get sick of, i used... Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2003 by "andyaries"
emotional rollercoaster
Robin Williams is best known and loved for his funny man roles with only a few exceptions, such as Dead Poets Society,Good Will Hunting and Awakenings where the true depth of his... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2002 by MISS D MCKINLAY
For anyone who wonders what happens when we die
Haven't we all wondered what happens when we die? Never having been a religious, or even spiritual, person I was doubtful as to whether I'd get any enjoyment from watching this... Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2002
Visually stunning but ultimately very silly
Just watched this. Very impressive visual imagery make this quite unlike any film I've seen, and it is worth seeing (as long as you're not the one who has paid for it! Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2002
Disappointing...
The film was very-very good up until the end. The end just looked like the director had run out of ideas or the tape which is why he decided to wrap it up quick. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2001
Robin Heartwarmer Williams, all the right ingredients . . .
A film that sets out to be moving, positive and spiritually thought provoking. Some of the ideas - like you make your own heaven - are interesting; and the visual design, imagery... Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2000
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