Hearts In Atlantis [VHS] [2002]

The movie is, essentially, a coming of age film, and a particularly good one, at that. It opens with a middle aged man, Bobby Garfield (David Morse), returning home for the funeral of his childhood best friend. While there, he stops by his old home and begins reminiscing in his mind's eye, remembering growing up with those with whom he had lost touch, his now deceased friend and his first girl friend, Carol Gerber (Mika Boorem).

The viewer then sees eleven year old Bobby Garfield (Anton Yelchin) living with his selfish, self absorbed, widowed mother, Liz Garfield (Hope Davis) in that very same house. A mysterious older man, loner Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins), takes up residence in an upstairs apartment in that house. He becomes a sort of a grandfather figure to Bobby, and a warm relationship develops between the two. Bobby gets from Ted what he is unable to get from his mother. Ted helps Bobby at a time in his life, when he sorely needed an interested adult, as his mother seems unable or unwilling to step up to home plate.

Ted reveals to Bobby that some mysterious people, referred to only as the "low men" are after him. Ted enlists Bobby's aid in looking out for them. It also appears that Ted has some kind of extra sensory perception. It is a gift of which Bobby becomes aware, as Ted and Bobby begin to look out for each other. This apparent psychic ability, however, is not the focus of the movie and is somewhat incidental.

The film is simply an atmospheric, well rendered coming of age film, marked by nostalgia and the strong performances of its actors. Velvet voiced Anthony Hopkins is superb as the perceptive Ted Brautigan, giving yet another beautifully nuanced performance. Anton Yelchin is wonderfully natural in the role the young Bobby Garfield. The rest of the supporting cast is excellent, as well.

The only thing that mars the film is the reference to the "low men". At first, I thought it was to "law men" that Ted was referring. I found the use of the term "low men", without some explanation, distracting. Since William Goldman had apparently made changes to the book when he wrote the screenplay, he should have excised this term, as it serves only to be distracting rather than mysterious, especially as the "low men" seemed likely to be simply some sort of secret government agents.

Review written 22/01/06 (Age 15)

I hope you enjoy reading this review, as much as I did writing it.

"Hearts in Atlantis" directed by Scott Hicks, starring Anthony Hopkins in based on Stephen King's best selling novel. It tells the story of Bobby Garfield a pre-teen whose life after his father died, has began to fall apart. His self-obsessed mother (Hope Davis), has very little time for him, and is too wrapped up in sexual relationships and alcohol to ever realize that her son is growing-up fast. Instead Bobby turns to Ted Brautigen (Academy Award* winner Anthony Hopkins), who gradually over the course of time forms a deep and meaningful relationship with him. However, Ted brings with him a haunted past in psychic powers, and unwillingly passes them onto him, which at first Alarms and amazes Bobby. Finally, Ted admits that he is on the run from the “lowmen” a group of men who will stop at nothing at getting back under their control. Soon Bobby must find courage and forgiveness that he never imagined. This is without a shadow, my third favorite film of all time.

I personally am Stephen King’s number one fan. I can relate to him and his wonderful language, that I can comprehend. He has an ability to bring a story sincerely to life (as if it were not a piece of fiction in the first place). His characters I like his own children, he writes about them in such a way it encompasses you. You feel as if your soul is in his hands, and he takes great care of it. Breaking it, then rebuilding it on meaningful level). But I’m not here to talk about Stephen King, I’m here to talk about the motion-picture.

“Hearts in Atlantis” works on so many levels it has, drama, romance, (some thriller), (a small portion of horror). The acting levels is something I’m keen on talking about. In this motion-picture there is some truly astonishing acting. Every cast member, including extras! created a seamless piece of work. This movie is beyond [Stand By Me], although I loved the film with all my heart, this film feels more natural and untainted, without an unnecessary comedic element to keep certain audiences engrossed. It plays like a piece of music, in that it flows so majestically. Which now brings me onto the score…

Mychael Danna, the film composer that got an award for “Best Original Score” has now written what is my “Number 1” OST. Let’s just say when listening to this music you go into a sort of lost trance, (even if you’ve viewed the film before or not) it’s as if everything you felt hurt by is just lifted from you and dropped at a great height, to which it vanishes. I have both Soundtracks CD 1 + CD 2. One is the soundtrack (classic 60’s, 70’s and even 50’s music) the other is the actual score composed by Mychael Danna. Which, both if were merged into one album would be brilliant.

This film has one of my favorite quotes of all time. Which is this:

“When were young we believe were in some place magical,
like Atlantis must have been… and when we grow old, our hearts break in two”

This soundtrack I admit is a little off-center, but I have just written it at 03:41am and in 37mins, so I think I did ok.

Personally I think every human being should see this film, it could I believe solve many problems in people lives.

I recommend YOU buy this film + Score if you can get a copy.

Good Luck.

Daniel

P.S If you would wish to talk to me about this movie I would love to hear any of your comments, bad or good. I would love to hear what others think about the movie(s) I’ve seen.

V.1.

The lowmen draw closer, and Bobby is faced with the dilemma of losing Ted and facing life much as he has done already.
And the mother that he is so angry with, finally gets an appreciation for what and who her son is becoming, and vice versa.

A toughing tale of coming of age and the depths of life.

A tear jerker.