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Review: Hearts in Atlantis
By Jack, (DT)
September 26, 2001 11:33 AM PT

Hearts in Atlantis
Directed by Scott Hicks
Writing credits: Stephen King (novel), William Goldman (screenplay)
Release Date: 28 Sept (US)

Hearts in Atlantis is not bad. In fact, it has some very good qualities. But director Scott Hicks (best known for Shine) and screenwriter William Goldman mix a few too many stories, subplots, and details to make a fairly solid whole. Hearts in Atlantis ends up as a forgettable and slow piece of nostalgia filmmaking.

While the movie is interesting and very well acted, it seems to offer up bits and pieces of movies we've all seen in the past, including some based on Stephen King novels. By my account, this movie is a mere combination of Stand By Me and The Green Mile.

Director Scott Hicks has a distinct directing style in all his films including Shine. In this film he used a lot of distortions and mirror shots in many of his scenes. They are interesting to see because it is something away from the norm after a summer of generic direction.

As for the story; the goal was obviously to invest the tale with a sense of mystery and make it seem meaning filled, but the result is too often just plain dull. It seemed as though this story could perhaps have been better told or read in a book rather then the lengthy (101 minutes) form of a movie.

Another thing that does merit praise is the film's treatment of time and place. Authentic clothings and furnishings seem to fit naturally on the actors and their surroundings. The houses and cars seem also to have traveled through time.

Conclusion: This film is long and could easily be considered boring, but it will probably not leave you with an ill feeling afterwards like so many movies this summer have. I give it a 6/10 rating.