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What Dreams May Come Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 68 Reviews)

Visually Stunning
"What Dreams May Come" is based on a novel by Richard Matheson ('A Stir of Echoes'), stars Robin Williams ('Good Will Hunting'), and won the 1998 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. That's a well deserved Oscar, because this film has some of the most beautiful visual effects and art direction I've ever seen put on screen before. Williams plays Chris Nielson who tells us how he met the love of his life, Annie (Annabella Sciorra, 'The Hand That Rocks the Cradle'). Chris and Annie get married and have two children...But their world is rocked when the two children die in a car accident. They return to their normal life, for the most part, but then Chris dies in a car accident leaving Annie alone. With a man named Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.) to guide him, Chris begins to explore heaven which is of his own creation (he builds it from Annie's paintings); But then Annie commits suicide, which guarantees her eternal damnation in Hell. I know this sounds like a book/movie written by a religious fanatic, but this movie (and rightly so) doesn't even really touch down on the subject of religion. The movie, despite its beauty and wonderful performances, isn't a masterpiece. As far as visuals, it is for sure...But the story tends to drag and become dull. Williams and Sciorra hit all the right notes as the devastated couple and Gooding Jr. gives a joyous performance. Max Von Sydow ('Needful Things') is also great as The Tracker who helps lead Chris into Hell to find Annie. The movie's got a beautiful story and a wonderful (if not melancholy) ending, but it's more to be appreciated than enjoyed.

GRADE: B


Beautiful Film
This is one of the most visually beautiful films of all time, add an equally compelling story and you have a "Perfect Film" Everyone should see this classic film!!

A Comforting View of Afterlife But Not Much Fun
''What Dreams May Come,'' is what would have happened if Cecil B. DeMille had produced "The Wizard of Oz" and been able to utilize digital effects. DeMille had hit on a successful formula, produce biblical/religious epics and fill them with erotic images and sexy stars. There are no erotic images or sexy stars in "What Dreams May Come", which instead combines a user-friendly visualization of the afterlife with a special effects bonanza-but the idea is pure DeMille in its effort to widen the target audience by providing something essential to just about everyone.

Directed by Vincent Ward and complete with a Shakespearian title (from Hamlet's contemplations of suicide), it would seem like a package Mr. DeMille could only dream about. Yet the $85 million "What Dreams May Come" did not enjoy the box office success of a DeMille epic.

Loosely adapted from the Richard Matheson novel which lacks the originality of his "The Incredible Shrinking Man" it is a retelling of the Greek fable of Orpheus and his unsuccessful attempt efforts to rescue his lover from Hades, a downbeat story of loss and sacrifice. Although the film is ultimately more upbeat than the novel it remains a quest story including an exploration of the underworld by someone who does not belong there.

The film's message should be comforting to New Age viewers but many Christians will find it somewhat offensive-although it can serve as a reason for spiritual discussions. The score is the film's best feature and I frequently found it quite moving.

At 113 minutes the film would benefit from minor trimming. The allegorical elements about communication between the living and the dead are especially drawn out, as are the pre-death segments which exist only to demonstrate that Chris Nielsen (Robin Williams) is a selfless physician and extremely good person who deeply loves his wife Annie (Annabella Sciorra), a painter and art restorer.

Annie loses, in quick succession, her two children in one automobile accident and Chris in another. Chris is transported to heaven with Cuba Gooding Jr. as his guide. The emotional range of this film is simplistic, and Williams alternates between elevated grief and awed wonder. Often he is fighting back tears or putting on pained smiles.

It is probably best that a viewer share at least some of afterlife visualizations being expressed by the film.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

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