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Quote of the day:
"There is a large element of me in every role I do. Actors who say they can dive inside a character are either schizophrenic or lying." -- Bruce Campbell |
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 Review: Hearts in Atlantis
By Jack on September 26, 2001 11:33 AM
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.
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Reader Discussions:
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 26, 2001 1:20 PM
You consider 101 minutes to be long? That's not even two hours. Braveheart, Gone With the Wind, and Schindler's Lists are what I'd call long movies at 3-4 each.
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by Jack (jack@dtheatre.com) on September 26, 2001 3:22 PM
By long I wasn't necessarily speaking about the play time but the actual feel of the movie.
A.I. Was long.. but not slow the same way this was.
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by scichick (imscichick@ivillage.com) on September 27, 2001 6:04 PM
I hope you're not comparing this movie to A.I. - that little kid kinda gave me the creeps.
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by metumbo (3rdlegchubby) on October 2, 2001 9:47 AM
LOVE OSAMA...........WORSHIP THE TALIBAN
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 26, 2001 2:04 PM
Right on! Too many folks are showing their (lack of) attention span. 101 minutes is about average.
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 27, 2001 6:35 AM
95 -100 minutes has become the world standard. In the early days of film, movies ran 3-4 hours and even longer! What I want to know is: Are our attention spans getting shorter or is filmmaking get better?
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 27, 2001 4:40 AM
"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."
Dude, maybe the reason you feel that this could have been better told or read in a book is because it is a book. Thats what its adapted from.
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by rainyday (not available) on September 28, 2001 2:03 AM
I am in about 75 percent agreement with your review. I disagree that it's too long. Also, the book by Stephen King has much more depth to the characters. As usual, King's books are very seldom done justice by the movie. But, as usual Anthony Hopkins is SO wonderful and magnetic that it's worth the time and money just to watch him perform his "magic"!
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on November 7, 2001 11:07 PM
I hated the book. I hate the movie even more.
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by strick9 (strick915@hotmail.com) on October 1, 2001 2:43 AM
ummmmm f*ck this movie. woo hoo. snootchie bootchies.
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 1, 2001 1:18 PM
To buddy who wrote "snoochie boochies"...obviously you just saw jay and silent bob for the first time and are completely oblivious to the fact that snoochie boochies is a 4 (or more) year old expression that came out with the movie mallrats. It woulda been semi-cool to say it then...not now.
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on April 1, 2003 3:32 AM
snoochie boochies! You f*cking twat!
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by strick9 (strick915@hotmail.com) on October 3, 2001 12:20 PM
Actually i own all of Smith's movies on dvd u prick. Snoogins. What the f*ck do u care what i say anyway u c-o-c-k smoker. i am a big fan of Smith's work. So go f*ck yourself. Snootchie Bootchies.
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by JT1966 (No Email) on October 2, 2001 4:32 PM
I found it enjoyable. The set was on par for King, ordinary, but elaborate. Direction, tech & acting was excellent. It had a fitting ending. At least for Bobby's relationship with Ted.
There were things I didn't like.
1. I personally despised the mother & was hoping she'd die.
2. The closet-case basher needed a worse beating.
3. They never explained ITM about Carol later on.
4. I don't buy the boy & mother's resolution.
I didn't think it was too long, nor dull, nor forgetable. Perhaps, some people should stick to King's horror films.
I'd rate it 8/10.
JT1966
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 4, 2001 11:52 AM
I'm curious....do they cover all four stories from the book in the movie?
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on November 7, 2001 11:09 PM
They must not have. The book sucked. People have good things to say about the movie though...
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 22, 2002 1:05 PM
No, they didn't. That p*ssed me off! I made sure to read the book first, because books are always better! They cut out the other 3 stories, and changed so much of the 2 stories(both with Bobby) that it was nothing like the book. I was very disappointed that they didn't include the connection to King's Dark Tower books, where Ted reveals himself to be a Breaker, and also says that the Dark Tower stands! I loved that book, and the movie was awful. It was almost unrecognizable compared to the book. Obviously the script writer is one of those who refuses to accept that the 1960s happened the way they did(like King says in the book).
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 22, 2002 1:00 PM
They should have adapted it 100% from the book, and put the other 4 stories in there, too. I think that the book kicked some major arse, and the movie sucked. I was so disappointed, because the book blew me away. I especially loved the connection to the Dark Tower books(I can't wait to read the new one when it comes out!). That was great when Ted said that he was a Breaker and was actually from Roland's world. WOW!
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 1, 2002 12:28 AM
Yes, the removal of references to the Dark Tower brought the movie down in my opinion. They took a safer route with the whole FBI is after him for reading minds and such... Kind of a waste because part of the appeal of King's work lately are the links woven into the Dark Tower series. Keep Ted as a Breaker.. make people wonder what the hell a Breaker is. :)
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RE: Review: Hearts in Atlantis
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on April 18, 2003 7:44 PM
I loved the book, the movie is ok, just very seperate and different. If they do the Dark Tower next, they had better be very careful and do it properly. Too bad Eastwood is too old to do it, his "Man With No Name" character is at least partially the basis for Roland as described literally in the book.
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