|
|
|
 n
the 1980s and early 1990s, movies based on Stephen King novels and short
stories were plentiful (indeed, 1993 saw the theatrical release of three
of his books: The Dark Half, The Tommyknockers and Needful
Things), but in recent years, the number of King properties to hit the
big screen has dwindled. This can probably be attributed to the lacklustre
success of such films as Thinner and Dolores Claiborne. But
King found himself hot again with the astounding success of The Green
Mile - which wound up grossing over $100 million and reaping a number
of Oscar nominations.Hearts in Atlantis employs a structure similar to that of another movie based on a King story, Stand By Me. The film opens in the present day, and Bobby Garfield receives a note that one of his childhood friends has passed away. This leads Bobby to reminisce about one particular summer, in which a strange old man moved into the apartment above him. The man, named Ted Brautigan (played by Anthony Hopkins), is initially disliked by Bobby's mother (played by Hope Davis), but intrigues Bobby. Soon, Bobby is going to Ted's apartment once a day to read him the newspaper, but this is just a front for Bobby's real job for Ted - which is to look out for "low men in yellowcoats." Bobby quickly discovers that Ted is not all that he appears to be - he has the ability to read minds (albeit not in the flashy, |
|
|
Kreskin-type way that one might expect). Ted
and Bobby are soon caught up in a massive conspiracy, that may or may not
be a figment of Ted's imagination. Hearts in Atlantis is directed by Scott Hicks (who received an Oscar nomination for directing Shine), with a screenplay by Oscar winner William Goldman. Starring as Bobby is experienced child actor Anton Yelchin (Along Came a Spider, 15 Minutes), while the pivotal role of Brautigan is filled by Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins. Last seen in Hannibal, Hopkins has been acting steadily since his late 20s. He toiled in British cinema for years, until his breakthrough performance in Silence of the Lambs finally got him the recognition he deserved. The role of Hannibal Lector - arguably his most famous and well-known - also garnered Hopkins an Oscar. His choices of movies recently have been eclectic at best. With an oeuvre that, lately, runs the gamut from big-budget bombs (Instinct, Meet Joe Black) to smaller, more prestigious roles (Titus, Amistad), Hopkins' career is far from predictable. He has even threatened to retire on several occasions (the last time being just before Mission: Impossible 2 was released). With Hearts in Atlantis, Hopkins is poised to breathe new life into his career. And if the movie is successful, it may just pave the way for further King adaptations. - Dave Nusair |