2001, 1 hr 40 min., Rated PG-13 for violence and thematic elements.�Dir: Scott Hicks. Cast: Anthony Hopkins (Ted Brautigan), Anton Yelchin (Bobby Garfield), Hope Davis (Elizabeth Garfield), Mika Boorem (Carol Gerber), David Morse (Robert Garfield -adult), Will Rothhaar (John "Sully-John" Sullivan-Age 11).

You ask: "What's a good autumnal film with a calming rhythm and heartwarming message?"

I answer: I love ice cream sandwiches. Licking the vanilla on the sides as the chocolate sticks to your fingers . . . Oh, I'm sorry. Did you ask a question?

All seriousness aside, upon reading your question I can safely say my answer is Hearts In Atlantis, the new Stephen King adaptation that takes on the fantastical vein of The Green Mile, infused with a coming-of-age story a la Stand By Me.

Starring Sir Anthony Hopkins (I wish I had a cool title like Sir. Instead I have to live with current titles Hey You, Dude, and Amigo - we have Spanish janitors at work) as a mysterious stranger moving into an upstairs apartment. Befriending young Bobby (Anton Yelchin), Hopkins warns him to look out for Low Men ("in the Dickensian sense" of men lurking in the shadows). Meantime, Hopkins dispenses wisdom on Bobby and makes a difference of a lifetime.

Director Scott Hicks also directed Snow Falling on Cedars and Shine, so I can see a definite pattern in the look of his films. Here almost every scene has a reflection of a character in a mirror or window (maybe to prove that they're not vampires, or have I been watching too much "Buffy"?) and a lot of play with light and shadow. The result is warm, if dark to signify the underlying challenges of the characters.

Besides Hopkins, the cast is relatively unknown with a couple of exceptions.

The little seen Hope Davis is solid and not nearly as overdoing it as her first big role in Magnolia. Davis plays a bitter widow who is incredibly self-absorbed. She can't even bother to learn Hopkins' last name, and is too busy buying new dresses all the time to buy son Bobby a bicycle.

Also borrowed from Green Mile is the idea of a bookend beginning and ending, as well as actor David Morse used as grown-up Bobby. I like Morse. He makes me feel comfortable.

We meet Bobby (Anton Yelchin) on his 11th birthday, a kid living a simple life who spends the bulk of his time with friend Sully (Will Rothaar) and would-be girlfriend Carol (Mika Boorem, an absolute cutie-sweetie-pie). Save a couple scenes where Yelchin overplayed his cuteness factor, I was pleased by his work.

Only lingering question: The filmmakers don't really explain the technique employed by the Low Men in their search of Hopkins. It's an awkward transfer from the book, I'm sure.

It's a quiet, easy-going film, with many heartfelt moments. Definitely recommended, and an enjoyable moving-going experience. Hopkins is top-notch.

The verdict:

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