Hearts in AtlantisHearts in Atlantis
Bobby befriends a new lodger in the boarding house where he lives and learns that he has strange powers and is being hunted by people called the lowmen.
Rating:  List Price: $ 14.98 Price: $ 3.24
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Hearts in AtlantisHearts in Atlantis
Bobby befriends a new lodger in the boarding house where he lives and learns that he has strange powers and is being hunted by people called the lowmen.
Rating: List Price: $ 14.98 Price: $ 3.24
|
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(out of 198 reviews)
Review by Lawyeraau for Hearts in Atlantis
Rating:
Not having read the Stephen King book upon which this movie was based, I had no expectations of this film. In fact, after seeing the film, I was surprised that it had been based upon a Stephen King book, as it seemed so far removed from anything to do with horror, the supernatural, or science fiction. It also has nothing to do with the lost continent of Atlantis. 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.The DVD provides the usual excellent sound and audio a viewer has come to expect from a high quality DVD. It has a feature length audio commentary of the film by its director, Scott Hicks, as well as a fairly lengthy interview with Anthony Hopkins, that makes the price of the DVD well worth it.
Review by for Hearts in Atlantis
Rating:
After Rob Reiner pulled Stephen King movies out of the B-movie cellar with Stand By Me (and later Misery), it is hard to remember the late seventies and early eighties era when a Stephen King movie meant cheesy production and bad acting. I think the resulting improvement in quality actually inspired better writing from Mr. King, though I have nothing to support my opinion. Perhaps King was simply improving with age and experience. What I find most amusing is that the theatrical films based on King novels have become the most literary and introspective works, while the chills n’ thrills are relegated to TV miniseries, i.e. Rose Red.Hearts in Atlantis continues the string of successful King adaptations such as Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and the underrated Dolores Claiborne. Anyone who has read the book already knows the story of Bobbie Garfield and Ted Brautigan in the fateful summer of 1960. “Low Men in Yellow Coats” was the most powerful story in the collection that make up Hearts, and the title actually comes from the second novella in the book, which features different characters in another time and place. In the book, the Low Men were tied to Stephen King’s Dark Tower mythos, and I was hoping the movie would keep that connection; however, the screenwriters decided to make the movie self-contained and turned the Low Men into shadowy government figures, definitely human and not nearly as scary. But that’s a minor thing.Anthony Hopkins was his usual excellent self, but I was especially impressed by Hope Davis in the thankless role of Bobbie’s mother. She managed to convey bitterness, sadness, love and fear in a very understated performance. I totally bought this character and felt that she was far more complex than the character of Brautigan.The supporting players were not as well fleshed out, and I didn’t care for the hackneyed subplot with the bullies. Most of the secondary characters and events from the book were cut severely for the film version in favor of concentrating on the three principal characters, which is kind of disappointing but understandable for reasons of length. However, I still felt at times as though I were watching the Cliff Notes version of the story.Hearts in Atlantis is a quiet and effective coming-of-age tale that marries the strength of Stephen King’s writing with a smart screenplay (courtesy of William Goldman), top-notch acting, and direction (Scott Hicks of Shine fame). I ‘heart’-ily recommend it.
Review by Lori B for Hearts in Atlantis
Rating:
Revisiting his boyhood home, Robert Garfield flashes back to age eleven, and his vivid memories as a rather sad, fatherless boy coming of age. Portrayed during the cold war era, Bobby (Anton Yelchin) lives alone with single-mom (Hope Davis). Befriended by mysterious new renter from upstairs, Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins), Bobby receives his rite of passage into manhood from Ted’s quiet statements about life, such as, “You think your mother knows your thoughts, but she doesn’t. That’s a mother’s power.” and other empathic messages. For those who are seasoned literary artists, this statement, found at the heart of the film, arcs several situations being portrayed, the present one at the table where they’re sitting, the certain abilities the “low men who wear dark hats and coats and cast long shadows” have in seeking out and finding Ted Brautigan, and again the overshadowed undercurrent an entire country felt during the hush hush of the cold war era about “mother Russia” (who at the time was deeply involved in harnessing certain powers). Have I left any out, Stephen? This is indeed a powerful film written by a Master that appeals to both the literary and general audiences. From the beginning of his career until now, his audience has also made it’s rite of passage on the tidbits Mr Hopkins has shared with his faithful viewers. Who could pass up a King and Hopkins film? Bravo! Hearts in Atlantis is one of the most successful and heartwarming films of the century with a perfect cast of characters to carry forth the meaning of each role. Excellent job!
Review by Sean Whitmore for Hearts in Atlantis
Rating:
“Hearts in Atlantis” was an extremely sweet and
funny movie that I enjoyed immensely, even though I walked into the
theater expecting to hate it. I’m not usually a fan of period pieces
or movies where poor children experience the cruelty of growing up,
but this was a far cry different. It had the innocent-yet-funny
mentality of TV shows like “Wonder Years” or “Freaks
and Geeks”. Anton Yelchin definetly won points with me for being
a child actor that isn’t in the least bit annoying or whiny. He
impossibly stole the show from the great Anthony Hopkins (who was also
great, as always).I can’t recommend “Hearts in Atlantis”
highly enough for people in the mood for a movie devoid of explosions,
sex, and dirty jokes. Not that I’m against any of those things, but
once in a while it’s nice to get something different.
Review by for Hearts in Atlantis
Rating:
“Hearts in Atlantis” is a touching and nicely done film. It has a good story to it and it is greatly enjoyable. It is about a young boy who lives in a small town in Connecticut with his mother and his the events that take place when a man(Anthiny Hopkins) comes to stay in their house with them. There is much more to the story, but you have to go see it to find out what else. I greatly enjoyed this film. There have been so many awful films this year that it was nice to see a really good one for a change that I did not walk out of feeling any bit of disappointment for. I think Anthony Hopkins did a great job in this film and should definitely be recognized for it when oscar nominations are decided. Also, the young boy in the film is good too. It was really nice to see good acting by a young actor for a change, most child actors couldn’t act to save their lives. I also really liked director Scott Hicks directing style. He makes some of the best looking films out there and he really uses his gift with this film. So if you read this review, take my advice and go see this film because it really is one of the better ones out there today.