We have all heard the phrase “Never judge a book by its cover.” It sounds clichéd, but that is exactly what can be done when walking in to view “Hearts in Atlantis.”
A similar question among all who hear this title is “What is ‘Hearts in Atlantis’?” This movie didn’t have the high powered advertising budget as a “Rush Hour 2,” but it may not need it.
The movie unfolds the memories of a middle-aged photographer Bobby Garfield. Played by David Morse, who was also in “The Rock,” the memories resurface because of the deaths of two of his childhood friends. His movie-long flashback is of the summer when young Bobby (Anton Yelchin), begins to realize many things that were kept from him by others and himself.
Young Bobby’s eyes begin to open as Ted Brautigan, played by Anthony Hopkins, moves into the apartment above Bobby and his mother. Hope Davis, who plays Liz, Bobby’s mother, is struggling to support her and her son after her husband’s death six years earlier.
Hope Davis puts in a very strong performance as a self-obsessed woman who is depriving her son while she spoils herself. Davis was great throughout the movie, making her character seem convincing to the viewer.
However, the performance of Yelchin was not impressive at all. The young actor didn’t seem to make emotional transitions within scenes well. Yelchin did have shining moments as the movie wore on, but his overall performance was not stirring.
Hopkins put in a solid performance as a traveler that is seems to be running from something. His character befriends young Bobby and fills in the roles of both mother and father during his stay, filling the void that Bobby’s mother and father had left.
The movie is based on the book by the same name, written by best-selling author Stephen King and adapted by Oscar winner William Goldman, so it is no surprise the movie was very well written. The conversations didn’t seem scripted, but flowed as if the actors were speaking their own thoughts. Light humor was also mixed in to keep the movie from having too dark of a tone.
The movie was solid and kept the interest of the viewers throughout. If you’re in the mood to see a quality movie, which nowadays seem few and far between, take in a viewing of “Hearts in Atlantis.”
