I came across this less-trumpeted little gem of a movie on cable a few days ago and simply fell in love with it. Visually rich and touching, this story of one man's love and failings is an emotional modern-day fairy tale of spiritual awakening.
Told without traditional timeline, the plot of What Dreams May Come progresses in a series of moments and flashbacks that lead us through the soul of Chris Nielsen, poignantly portrayed by Robin Williams. Chris finds his soulmate, his true love Annie, played by the beautiful Annabella Sciorra, marries, and has two children. He struggles to be the strong husband and father he feels his family deserves until tragedy strikes. Both of his children are killed in a car accident, forever scarring his marriage and plummeting his wife into despair he throws himself into bringing her out of.
Four years later, he himself is killed in a car accident and discovers that there really is an afterlife. Heaven, however, brings no peace and joy without his soulmate at his side. He learns to accept the beauty of Heaven and seeks to reunite with his children, but is forever torn by Annie's absence. Those who have gone before him lead him through a path of redemption and reconciliation of his failings toward his children, but when he learns that Annie has committed suicide and is trapped in Hell because of her actions, nothing will keep him from the perilous journey to find her again.
Eduardo Serra's cinematography and Vincent Ward's direction combine for a seamless and dreamy experience of both Heaven and Hell. The sets are elaborate and detailed and the makeup and costumes are truly imaginative and wonderful. In spite of the bittersweet romance and tragedy of the plot, there are plenty of heartwarming and humorous scenes to keep you from sinking in the tragedies. Not a moment of this film is wasted on boredom, and even with the heavy topics both of my children, ages 7 and 9, were enchanted and involved. It's rare that a film with such depth can be considered a family film, but this one touched all of us, especially with the recent death of my mother, and led to a tender and healing family discussion. Watch this film with a box of tissues and someone you love nearby to hold.
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