Available on DVD & DVD/Blu_Ray Digital Download Combo Pack on March 15th
The synopsis for this 2010 movie tells us that it’s a story about a guy named George (Matt Damon)who is an average Joe with a special connection to the afterlife dating from his childhood. Along the way, Joe meets up with others who are searching for a similar connection, including French journalist Marie (Cécile de France) and London schoolboy Marcus (Frankie and George McLaren) loses the person closest to him, he desperately needs answers. All of them are on a life changing journey to find out what is on the other side in the afterlife.
Given the premise of this movie, written by Peter Morgan, and the fact that it is directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Matt Damon, I was really interested in getting a chance to see it. Having had my own version of a near death experience, I was looking forward to seeing how they handled the subject. After having watched the movie twice, I’m not sure if it really lived up to expectations, but I do have to say that Clint Eastwood as a director wasn’t afraid to take the topic head on and deal with it in an intelligent manner.
Whenever a movie takes on a controversial topic such as life after death, it invariably sparks debates. Hereafter is no exception and that is one of the beauties of the movie. It is the kind of movie that makes you think about the premise long after you’ve finished watching it.
There are a few issues I had with the movie. I really think there should have been more insight into Matt Damon’s character. I really believe the movie would have benefited more from learning about George’s relationship with his brother as well as how difficult he found it to bond with others since touching them would result in his contacting their dead loved ones. It would have made for an interesting story if Hereafter had followed George’s life from his childhood where the gift first became evident and into his adulthood dealing with it.
For me, the storyline involving the French journalist Marie (Cécile de France) was ok, but not as compelling as it could have been. What I found to be the weakest point in the movie was the storyline involving the twins played by Frankie and George McLaren. In all honesty this part of Hereafter would have been excellent had the child actors been better. There is apparently no greater loss than the loss of a twin and while the boys were good at non-verbal acting, they seemed to lack talent in the speaking roles.
Given current events going on, the tsunami scene is almost unbearable to watch because of the very real tragedy it mirrors from today’s headlines. Yet it also seems to serve to remind us of the strength of human courage and compassion that rises from the aftermath of such a devastating event. I believe that this is what is at the heart of Hereafter.
I was a little surprised to find out that the special feature for the movie, which is only included on the Blu_ray disc are less about the making of Hereafter and more about the life of director, Clint Eastwood.
- The Eastwood Factor- Extended Version: First time in Hi-Def this insightful feature length profile of the actor/director’s career in his own words. The feature it covers his 35+ years association with Warner Brothers.
It was a fascinating look at Clint Eastwood from his owe viewpoint of his career in association with Warner Bros. Studios, however I would have liked a something with a bit more insight into the movie.
Overall, I found Hereafter to be interesting in premise and the topic handled in a straight forward manner. However I found the movie to be leaden in places and I think it would have benefited from focusing on Damon’s character a bit more. If you like a movie that makes you think about something, then Hereafter is definitely one to watch.
Movie – B-
Special features – C=
Overall Grade – B
Check out the Hereafter official site