Hearts in Atlantis (UK)

7 / 10
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What if one of life`s great mysteries moved in upstairs?
Certificate: 12
Running Time: 96 mins
Retail Price: £15.99
Release Date:

Synopsis:
When middle-aged photographer Bobby Garfield (David Morse) returns to his hometown for the funeral of a childhood friend, the unforgettable memories of 1960, his eleventh summer, come flooding back. It all began with the arrival of a mysterious stranger, Ted Brautigen (Anthony Hopkins), who gradually forms a strong relationship with the young Bobby (Anton Yelchin), despite fierce opposition from Bobby`s self-obsessed mother (Hope Davis).
But Ted brings with him a haunted past and strange physic powers, which both alarm and amaze Bobby. Finally Ted admits that he is actually on the run from "lowmen", and as the pursuers close in, Bobby is forced to find depths of courage and forgiveness that he never imagined. This atmospheric coming of age story is directed by Scott Hicks (Shine) and adapted by legendary scripwriter William Goldman from the Stephen King story `Low Men In Yellow Coats`.

Special Features:
Director`s audio commentary. Stills gallery. Interview with Anthony Hopkins.

Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1 French
Dolby Digital 5.1 Italian

Subtitle Tracks:
French
Italian
Romanian
English
Spanish
German
Portuguese
Dutch
Arabic
Bulgarian

Directed By:
Scott Hicks

Written By:


Starring:
David Morse
Mika Boorem
Hope Davis
Anton Yelchin
Anthony Hopkins

Distributor:
Warner Home Video

Your Opinions and Comments

7 / 10
I was expecting another Stephen King semi-sci-fi mystery, but somehow got a weird movie instead.
Odd, what could`ve been a regular tearjerker somehow totally misses out and becomes an unexplained little drama about a kid finding an older friend (Hopkins). A weird friend. But that`s exactly it - we get no information whatsoever as to why is the friend so weird.
However, the director makes a beautiful homage to "Stand By Me" (and to River Phoenix` character in particular).
The video transfer is good. There are no compression signs and the colors are nicely saturated.
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is ok. The surrounds are used occasionally, and quite adequately, for this kind of a movie.
The menus are still with music.
The extras include a commentary by the director, 30 minute of the director interviewing Hopkins and a photo gallery.
Bottom line - a weird movie that rather fails to deliver despite its beautiful nostalgic atmosphere.
posted by Zvi Josef on 7/12/2004 17:38