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HEARTS IN ATLANTIS Send This Review to a Friend
If you take away the tripe about psychics "Hearts in Atlantis," showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival, has some tender moments about growing up and learning about life involving two youngsters. But this is Stephen King territory, so taking away the psychic stuff would be a useless exercise cutting the heart out of what the film is all about. You take what you get in this film, which William Goldman wrote as an adaptation of King's book and Scott Hicks directed with the utmost somberness.
Anthony Hopkins has the key adult role of Ted Brautigan, a mystery man who in the summer of 1960 rents rooms in the home of a struggling widowed mother (Hope Davis), who is raising her 11-year-old son Bobby (Anton Yelchin). The story spins in flashback from the memory of the adult Bobby (David Morse), who comes back to his home town in a burst of revived memories. Hopkins has psychic powers, and is being pursued by men who want to capture him for their own use. From whom is he hiding? The FBI? The CIA? Others from whose clutches he wants to escape?
Ted and Bobby bond, with the youngster finding a surrogate father in this stranger who seems to have the wisdom of the world at his fingertips and dispenses knowing advice to Bobby. The situation is sweetened by Bobby's relationship with Carol (Mika Boorem). They are affectionate pals who project childhood innocence contrasted with the dark elements concerning the mysterious Ted and the self-centeredness of Bobby's mother, who isn't really up to the burden of raising a son while trying to make a better life for herself.
The extent to which you are drawn into this brooding film depends on whether you are attuned to the metaphysical aspects. If not, chances are you'll find the story a pile of rubbish. But there is Hopkins, who, as usual, provides a strong screen presence, and there are the attractive young actors who turn on earnest charm. A Warner Bros. release.
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