Hearts in Atlantis (2001)

Combine Anthony Hopkins, a William Goldman script based on a Stephen King story, talented director Scott Hicks and some very good child actors and you've got yourself a pretty much sure fire great movie, right? Well... almost. Make no mistake, this a fine movie but it isn't as great as it should have been.

Successful photographer Bobby Garfield has just received word that one of his childhood friends has died. Returning to the town he grew up in for the funeral, Bobby flashes back on his youth. That flashback is the great bulk of the movie. He grew up without a father, his having died when he was five. For his eleventh birthday his mother gives him the gift every young boy wants... a library card. He was praying for a new bike but his mother seems more interested in buying herself nice dresses. They get a new neighbor Ted (Hopkins) in the apartment above them. Bobby takes a quick liking to the older man while his mother takes an instant dislike of him. Ted hires Bobby to read him the paper, as his eyes are failing him. He also wants him to keep an eye on the neighborhood for what he calls "low men" a mysterious group that are searching for Ted do to some interesting talents he has.

The film focuses largely on the growing relationship between Ted as he for a short time helps to fill in for Bobby's late father. It also focuses on the growing romance between Bobby and Carole. Long best friends with Carole and Sully (the friend whose death triggers this flashback), now something different is developing between her and Bobby.

Regular readers will recall that I reviewed this movie's script a while back. It was a script that I enjoyed greatly and felt would be turned into a film of great quality by the talent mentioned. My biggest concern was that the young actor playing Bobby might not be capable of carrying the great bulk of the movie. That concern was unfounded as young Anton Yelchin was more than up to the task. He has a fine sense for the character and much like Hopkins, never seems to be working hard at acting, instead just inhabiting the character as if it was his own personality.

The movie follows the script very closely for the most part. There are minor changes and ommissions but those were likely for purposes of time. There are two notable changes though. One is to the ending, so I won't comment on it here. The other has to do with the low men. They are described in the script as men in long yellow coats that cast long shadows. They are mysterious villains on the level of the boogeyman. In the movie though, they aren't portrayed as anything supernatural or unusual. They are simply men, basically just federal agents, looking for Ted. It's a disappointing change. While the story has only a minor supernatural element, this change diminishes that considerably. Making the low men less mysterious makes them less threatening and intimidating.

It's little things like that that seem to somewhat drain the story of its energy and impact. Several scenes which crackle with energy on the page just lie flat on the screen. There was clearly an attempt here to pull punches, to soften the story. Perhaps the intent was to receive a PG-13 rating instead of an R. Whatever the reason, this movie lacks much of the script's emotional charge.

It's still a well made movie. As said before the acting is excellent. The camera work is also well done, creating a rich background of colors to frame the actors. The concept of seeing reality from numerous points of view is hit on repeatedly as every opportunity is taken to shoot through anything that can filter or distort the image. The story unfolds nicely and the relationships build well and keep us interested. David Morse does a nice job of framing the story as the older Bobby.

It's a well made movie but a bit timid. It doesn't seem willing to let things carry out to their logical conclusions. That timidness leaves us with a movie that's hard to speak poorly of but also one we simply won't sing the praises of either.

- John Shea

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