Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
One of our occasional contributors popped up with another peek at the new William Goldman adaptation of two parts of Stephen King's challenging book from a few years back. Scott Hicks has been building nice buzz for this one, and the two sneak previews this weekend seem to be a sign of great faith from Castle Rock. Let's hear what Corporal Hicks has to say, and listen up... he's gotta move out in just a few...
Hey guys,
Corporal Hicks here.
It's been a while since I've had anything to report in about, but I managed to get my hands on a print of HEARTS OF ATLANTIS, Scott Hicks' (no relation, though I can't help but feel a kinship, you know?) new movie with Anthony Hopkins that opens in a couple weeks.
I don't like summarizing plot, so I'm not going to; just go see the movie. This is simply what I think of the flick.
Quite simply, this is a "nice" movie. Very sweetly nostalgic in the same way that STAND BY ME was (another Stephen King adaptation, mind you). Scripted by William Goldman, you can't help but feel his touch with some flavorful dialogue (not in the book) and quick pacing. It really helps that Hicks had someone as taltented as Goldman to construct such a tight narrative this time as opposed to Hicks' own adaptation of SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS, which was a script in dire need of a few polishes.
The movie borders on oversentimentality but just comes short of crossing that line, making for a happy, enjoyable moviegoing experience. It doesn't quite nail the spirit of STAND BY ME, but it gives a valiant effort. Hopkins is his normal brilliance as Ted, a man on the run from his own talents/gifts who realizes the beauty of childhood and the importance of enjoying every minute of life. The real find here, though, is Anton Yelchin as young Bobby Garfield, who previously didn't have too much to do in ALONG CAME A SPIDER and 15 MINUTES. This kid has as much if not more charisma than Haley Joel himself. Yelchin more than holds his own with Hopkins, making the story his own as opposed to a star vehicle for Hannibal Lecter playing a nice guy.
The supporting cast is merely ok, I'd say. The always interesting David Morse is wasted in rather contrived and underdeveloped bookend sequences as Anton Yelchin's character grown up. Hope Davis I find to be a little on the annoying side as she plays Bobby's mother so two-dimensionally (though that could be the fault of the script) that it's frustrating to the viewer to see her try to act next to Hopkins and Yelchin. Otherwise the rest of the children are interesting in what amounts to very little time on screen.
Though many a plot hole does exist (I guess Goldman isn't THAT perfect), Hicks keeps everyone interested with some seriously creating compositions that, with the help of the late cinematographer Piotr Sobocinski, are just breathtakingly beautiful. Gorgeous film. Pip Karmel, who also did a marvelous job editing Hicks' SHINE, really packs tension in spots where you might not have expected it, in addition to keeping the film running right around a lean 100 minutes. Oh, yeah, and the soundtrack is filled with some of the best bubble gum/50's music you'll find. Really helps keep people into the narrative itself.
I liked HEARTS IN ATLANTIS, I didn't love it, but I'm glad I saw it. It's great, sweet nostalgia that does indeed help take the mind away from current national unrest.
That's all for now. Back to the Dropship with my pulse rifle in tow to defend our great nation.
Corporal Hicks signing off.
Thanks, Hicks. Appreciated as always.
"Moriarty" out.
