The supernatural drama had a great if unusual selection of talent behind it: director Clint Eastwood, writer Peter Morgan and producer Steven Spielberg. But it was for that reason people were interested in Hereafter.
Hereafter tells three parallel stories. The first is about French journalist Marie Lelay (Cecile de France) who ends up getting cause in the 2004 tsunami where she suffers a near death experience and sees the afterlife. As the experience takes its toll she starts to research the scientific possibilities of there being a afterlife and plans to write a book. In London are twins Marcus and Jason (Frankie and George McLaren) whose mother (Lyndsey Marshal) is a heroin addict and are trying to avoid going into care. But when Jason dies in an accident Marcus is overcome with grief and tries to find any way to contact his brother from beyond the grave. Finally there is George Lonegan (Matt Damon), a factory worker in San Francisco who is able to communicate with the dead. But he sees his ability as a curse and avoids using it despite people's demands.
Whilst Hereafter is a very interesting film it is also disjointed and unfocused, trying to cram too much into a two hour film. Either it should have been extended to be a mini-series or one of the plots could and should have been cut out. The story involving Marie felt very underwhelming and when nowhere. It simply did not feel like it belonged to the film. A story about George, a man who is very reluctant to use his ability and how it ruins his life could have made an excellent film by itself. There were sadly ideas and subplots that were never properly explored, Bryce Dallas Howard was wasted in her role. The third act also felt very rushed as forced, trying to find a way to get all the characters together and the ending came out of nowhere.
A strength of Eastwood's direction was the film was grounded and underplayed, making Hereafter seem like it does take in the real world. It is a set in a slightly bleak look world, set in industrial places and poorer communities and the presence of death is always in the background. It is a actually quite a bleak film throughout, enhanced by good lead performance by Damon. The score by Eastwood too was very fitting, a gently piece of music using the piano and soft instruments which suited the actions on scene.
De France and most of the supporting cast were good in their roles, most of them are fine professional actors but the McLaren were a bit weak. They were non-actors and it is options for young twins are limited but there a little on the stiff side. But they were not the biggest problem to the film.
Hereafter is an interested film but it had a lot of ideas and themes left unexplored. It is worthy viewing and at least it is trying to be different.
Hereafter tells three parallel stories. The first is about French journalist Marie Lelay (Cecile de France) who ends up getting cause in the 2004 tsunami where she suffers a near death experience and sees the afterlife. As the experience takes its toll she starts to research the scientific possibilities of there being a afterlife and plans to write a book. In London are twins Marcus and Jason (Frankie and George McLaren) whose mother (Lyndsey Marshal) is a heroin addict and are trying to avoid going into care. But when Jason dies in an accident Marcus is overcome with grief and tries to find any way to contact his brother from beyond the grave. Finally there is George Lonegan (Matt Damon), a factory worker in San Francisco who is able to communicate with the dead. But he sees his ability as a curse and avoids using it despite people's demands.
Whilst Hereafter is a very interesting film it is also disjointed and unfocused, trying to cram too much into a two hour film. Either it should have been extended to be a mini-series or one of the plots could and should have been cut out. The story involving Marie felt very underwhelming and when nowhere. It simply did not feel like it belonged to the film. A story about George, a man who is very reluctant to use his ability and how it ruins his life could have made an excellent film by itself. There were sadly ideas and subplots that were never properly explored, Bryce Dallas Howard was wasted in her role. The third act also felt very rushed as forced, trying to find a way to get all the characters together and the ending came out of nowhere.
A strength of Eastwood's direction was the film was grounded and underplayed, making Hereafter seem like it does take in the real world. It is a set in a slightly bleak look world, set in industrial places and poorer communities and the presence of death is always in the background. It is a actually quite a bleak film throughout, enhanced by good lead performance by Damon. The score by Eastwood too was very fitting, a gently piece of music using the piano and soft instruments which suited the actions on scene.
De France and most of the supporting cast were good in their roles, most of them are fine professional actors but the McLaren were a bit weak. They were non-actors and it is options for young twins are limited but there a little on the stiff side. But they were not the biggest problem to the film.
Hereafter is an interested film but it had a lot of ideas and themes left unexplored. It is worthy viewing and at least it is trying to be different.