| HEARTS IN ATLANTIS |
 2001 – USA
Director: Scott Hicks - Reviewed by Tim
After the death of a childhood friend, Robert Garfield (David Morse) returns to the town that he hasn't seen since he was 11 years old. As he drops by his old house, the memories of his 11th summer come flooding back... It's the summer of 1960 and Bobby Garfield (Anton Yelchin) has just turned 11 years old. His big birthday wish is that, somehow, his mother (Hope Davis) would give him the bike that he has been lusting after. However, instead of the bike, Bobby's mother gives him his first "Adult" library card, citing that the bike just costs too much and that his father didn't leave them with much after he died—still she seems to have plenty of money to shop for pretty new dresses for herself. I'm not sure I like his mother much. In addition to getting the new library card on his birthday, Bobby gets a new neighbor, Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins). Ted is a very mysterious man who has but a suitcase and a couple of paper bags to carry his belongings in. He seems to be keen enough to catch small nuances displayed by Bobby's mother and he to start to put together a pretty clear and accurate picture of what life might be like for his neighbors. He and Bobby spark up a relatively fast friendship. Bobby's two best friends are Sully (Will Rothhaar) and Carol (Mika Boorem). The three of them, like many kids on summer vacation, have carefree days that consist of swimming, playing and lounging around. Bobby has a crush on Carol and Ted says that hers will be the kiss in which he will measure all others. This is, of course, a true statement. Along with his lazy summer activities, Bobby has taken a job reading the newspaper to Ted, so he doesn't strain his eyes. At a dollar a week, Bobby should be able to get that bike he's been eyeing. In addition to reading the newspaper to Ted, Bobby is asked to keep an eye out for any strange men who might be putting up signs about a lost pet. This is where the story gets a little confusing. You see, from the beginning, we know that there is something different about Ted, but we are never really given the answer to the questions that are being asked throughout. There are hints as to what's going on, but no flat-out explanations. Hearts in Atlantis has the same mood and feel about it that I remember having with another movie adapted from a Stephen King coming-of-age story, Stand by Me. I mean this by way of pacing of the story and the dark undercurrent that runs through both. Anthony Hopkins gives another good performance that will garner him many accolades and people might want to try and throw the Oscar at him again, but I think the performance that stole the show was that of Anton Yelchin. He could have very easily become cheesy and tedious, but stayed just on this side of the dark side, bringing out a Henry Thomas-esque performance (without the squishy alien to play off of). Mika Boorem, as Carol, was quite good as well; I think that one has potential... I think that this film is being marketed as something that it's not, but despite that fact, you'll enjoy this one. |
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Have you ever had a memory that was so detailed, that you could swear that it was actually happening? Well,
this screen adaptation of Stephen King's novella is a full-sized realization of such memories.
