HEARTS IN ATLANTIS

2001

Based on the novel by Stephen King, "Hearts in Atlantis" makes the third hit in a row for director Scott Hicks ("Shine," "Snow Falling On Cedars.") In small town America in the '50's, a mysterious boarder moves into the upstairs rooms of a cold, selfish, young widow and her 11-year-old son, Bobby. The impressionable young boy is ready for the magic and mystery that Mr. Brautigan brings to the last summer of his childhood. Is Brautigan fleeing from some people who are trying to find him? Is he a criminal? Does he have psychic powers? Is he an alien? Even if none of these were true (and at least two of them are,) this beautiful film about coming of age in rural America is heartwarming, brilliantly photographed, and with a musical score that recalls the period of "The Platters" and early Sinatra. The acting by young Anton Yelchin as Bobby, Hope Davis, as his mother, David Morse as the adult Bobby, and especially Anthony Hopkins as Brautigan, is as good as it gets.

5 Stars

NJB

What promises to be another touching adaptation of another Stephen King "coming of age" story finds itself in a wishy washy blend of melodrama and bad acting. The death of a childhood friend brings back memories for Bobby Garfield- memories of a childhood summer when a mysterious old man with special powers lived with him and his mother. Director Scott Hicks uses a lot of the same flashback and combination of scenes techniques he ruined Snow Falling on Cedars with, but this time he also often uses steadicam shots which gave the cinematography a very inconsistent, displaced feel. Anthony Hopkins as the magical Ted is wonderful as always, but the children in the movie, including star Anton Yelchin were horrendous. The few nice moments the film had were mainly shown in the previews and I just had a really hard time staying interested in this one.

2.5 Stars

CDF