It had bagged a nomination at the Oscars this year, for visual effects, and I was keen to check it out earlier, before the Oscars ceremony.
However, it was difficult to come across at the video library.
It hasn't been released in theaters here, in Kolkata, and I do not expect it to get released too. Hereafter is a film by Clint Eastwood. But it is not the kind of film that one would expect from the director. Though, I have to say, that I am quite thrilled by the diverse subjects and genres that Clint Eastwood has explored as a director, and would also like to add that, as an avid follower of his films, I did notice some familiar sub-terrains in all his films, including this one. 'Hereafter' is not an easy film to watch, for most viewers (and that seems to be the reason it has met with a tepid response, especially in America) but watching the film was a handsomely rewarding experience for me.
Hereafter was screened as a 'special presentation' at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, 2010.
The film stars Matt Damon, Cecile de France, Bryce Dallas Howard, Lyndsey Marshal, Thierry Neuvic, Jay Mohr, and the twin brothers Frankie and George McLaren.
It is classified as a supernatural drama, however, that does not say much about the content, with three separate storylines that move as parallels, till the climax, when they are shown to merge.
It delves into something as mysterious and controversial as 'life after death', but it does not get too maudlin or melodramatic on the premise. There have been umpteen films that heighten the drama while skimming the surface of the enigmatic topic. Hereafter is different in that respect. The characters will fascinate you, the situations will move you, and, hence, I'd recommend it to my readers.
I have loved many of the films that Clint Eastwood has directed, and topping the list of my favorites would be Million Dollar Baby, Invictus, A Perfect World, The Bridges of Madison County, Mystic River, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Changeling, Unforgiven, Flags of Our Fathers, and Letters from Iwo Jima. Hereafter may not be the very best of Clint Eastwood, but it would surely feature among the favorite Eastwood films of mine.
4 comments:
Thanks for liking this film. I liked it too. I came upon it rather accidentally. I was looking for some not so creepy horror flick, when someone suggested that I watch 'Hereafter'. It is NOT AT ALL a horror flick..... and I actually found it to be a deeply moving experience. It has a restrained treatment and is slow, but I think the subject demanded that. I particularly liked the performances of Matt Damon and Bryce Dallas Howard, and Cecile de France. And the twin brothers were just wonderful, I would have particularly wanted more in their segment.
Buddy, I happened to read this surprise post, and immediately made sure that I'll have to see this film!
I liked it. Yes, the film has somewhat disturbing content for the Western audience, more specifically for some dogmatic Christians. The slow pace can also put off some people who were expecting something more dramatic from the teaming up of the director (Clint Eastwood) and the lead actor (Matt Damon) after the success of the soul-stirring saga 'Invictus'.
'Hereafter' has some brilliant moments, and the visual effect designed for the Tsunami sequence is too good. It deserves to be seen by more and more people.
I liked this film, mostly because of the acting and the dialogues (especially between Matt Damon & Bryce Dallas Howard). Clint Eastwood shows great control over the medium and he handles child actors brilliantly, as is evident from 'A Perfect World', 'Mystic River', and, now, 'Hereafter'.
I am yet to see this..and dont know when I will actually get the DVD..But it sure sounds interesting!! This adds one more in my list of "to watch" films :)
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