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Childhood
for many is a magical time when a person can let their
imagination run wild and dream of being anything that they wish
to become. It is also a time of innocence and simplicity for
many before the pressures of life have had a chance to burden
the dreams and hopes that we had when we were young.
It
is a time when having something ranging from a bike to a
baseball glove can seem to be the most important thing in the
world, and when your friends can be the most important people in
your life.
Sadly,
time has a way of catching up to all of us, and childhood dreams
of being an astronaut, fireman, cowboy, or police officer often
fade and we pursue more realistic, if less satisfying careers
and paths in our lives.
Who
among us has not at one point in our lives looked back to when
we were younger and thought about how much easier life was then?
or how much different things would have become if we would have
known then what we know now.
Such
is the premise for the new film Hearts in Atlantis, based
upon the popular Stephen King book of the same name.
The film
starts in modern times when a photographer, Bobby Garfield
(David Morse) learns that one of his two childhood friends has
passed away. Since his family is a way on a ski trip, Bobby
heads to the funeral, only to learn that his other childhood
friend, and his first love, recently died as well.
Despondent
over the news, Bobby returns to his childhood home to find it
condemned and boarded up. Realizing that the years since he last
lived in the house have past like a blink, Bobby takes a trip
down memory lane to the early 60's when he last lived in the
house.
Bobby
is being raised by his widowed mother Elizabeth (Hope Davis),
who seems more concerned with having a stylish wardrobe, and
complaining about their lack of money and how little Bobby’s
father left them, then spending time with her son.
Forced
to take in a boarder to earn extra income, the lives of Bobby
and his friend will soon be changed forever by the arrival of
Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins).
Young
Bobby (Anton Yelchin), quickly befriends the mysterious Ted, and
despite concerns from his mother, begins working for Ted by
reading the paper to him daily. Bobby is thrilled by Ted, and
loves the money that he makes as it is bringing him closer to
the bike he has coveted for ages.
When
he is not reading to Ted, Bobby spends time with his two best
friends, Sully (Will Rothaar), and Carol (Mika Boorem), and
having a great time, when not being bothered by the local
bullies.
Bobby
is instructed by Ted to keep an eye out for “The Loman”,
people Ted describes as being secret and to be avoided. Bobby
thinks this is just a wives tale, but promises Ted he will keep
his eyes open. Ted thrills Bobby with his wealth of knowledge,
and despite odd trances that seem to come over Ted; Bobby
becomes very fond of his older friend.
In
time, Bobby learns that Ted avoids touching people, as he has
the power to see into people’s minds, and if touched, he can
pass this ability on to others for a limited time. Too many this
is a gift, but to Ted, it is a burden.
Before
long, the Loman, do arrive, and Ted is forced to once again,
consider fleeing, but the situation is more complicated that it
seems, and Ted, Bobby, and his friends are faced with making
tough choices as they attempt to resolve the situation they have
to make adult choices for the first time in their lives.
The
film is a very tender sweet film that is heavily nostalgic for a
simpler time. Hearts is more in the line of Stand By
Me than many of King’s more horrific films/books. The
emphasis was not on horror and gore, rather on mystery and
wonder as the PG-13 rating of the film validates. While there
are scenes of violence in the film, they are not as graphic as
many other films.
Director
Scott Hicks paces the film in a crisp manner and gets fantastic
performances from his cast, especially young Yelchin and Boorem.
Hicks recently directed Snow Falling on Cedars and shows
that he has a fantastic eye for capturing the visuals of a
different time and place, all of which adds to the serene
setting where the film takes place. Hopkins is fantastic as Ted
as his wisdom and gentleness hides the inner turmoil he shows as
a man who is hiding his gifts from being used for what he
believes is wrong.
While
his gifts and the nature of the Lowman are not fully explained,
the audience has a good idea as to what is going on, and the
mystery surrounding them fits with the way a child would see
them, as this is a story told through an 11 year old child.
Writer
William Goldman, whose many credits include The General's
Daughter and King’s
Misery, has done a faithful adaptation of the book and
delivered a touching and enjoyable story.
There
are elements of King’s It and The Dead Zone in
the film, such as the bond of friends and being able to see
things via touching, but without the scares and gore of the
previous works.
This
is a film that parents can take teens to see, although be warned.
There are a couple of intense scenes. All in all, Hearts
is very solid and enjoyable.
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