From My Shelves is a series of occasional posts that look at items
from my personal collection to which I have a special attachment.
What Dreams May Come
(1998) – Following his own death a man discovers that his wife is
in a very different part of the afterlife.
(1998) – Following his own death a man discovers that his wife is
in a very different part of the afterlife.
This movie was never
a big hit, but it’s got a lot going for it. An unusual story, a
solid cast, and absolutely gorgeous effects. From the first time I
saw it, this movie has held a special place for me.
a big hit, but it’s got a lot going for it. An unusual story, a
solid cast, and absolutely gorgeous effects. From the first time I
saw it, this movie has held a special place for me.
There are plenty of stories about life after death. They tend to fall
into two categories – Ghosts (good or bad) and some squeaky clean
vision of a Christian Heaven or Hell. “What Dreams May Come”
offers a very different vision that draws from a much wider range of
belief systems. That includes the possibility to move from one part
to another. The residents aren’t supposed to do that, and there are
trackers designated to keep order. It raises questions about the
power of love, even after death and the possibility of redemption.
There are two great
actors in the center of this. Cuba Gooding, Jr. does a nice job as a
childhood friend and advisor to Robin Williams’s husband character.
Williams carries the bulk of the story. Like many of the greatest
comic actors, he offered amazing emotional depth in his dramatic
roles. Here he offers a nice romantic turn as a husband dedicated to
being with his wife, no matter what.
actors in the center of this. Cuba Gooding, Jr. does a nice job as a
childhood friend and advisor to Robin Williams’s husband character.
Williams carries the bulk of the story. Like many of the greatest
comic actors, he offered amazing emotional depth in his dramatic
roles. Here he offers a nice romantic turn as a husband dedicated to
being with his wife, no matter what.
The final piece that
sets this movie apart from the run of the mill is the digital
effects. The visuals in this movie are just incredible. I can’t
think of many others so visually gorgeous. The filmmakers do a great
job playing with those effects without letting it overrun the story.
sets this movie apart from the run of the mill is the digital
effects. The visuals in this movie are just incredible. I can’t
think of many others so visually gorgeous. The filmmakers do a great
job playing with those effects without letting it overrun the story.
I mentioned this
movie just last month in the February “Three to See” video. It’s
a different kind of love story and well worth a look.
movie just last month in the February “Three to See” video. It’s
a different kind of love story and well worth a look.
Stories Are My Life 
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