Monday, January 23, 2012

Hereafter--A movie review



Clint Eastwood produced and directed this 2010 film which takes a decidedly secular and unsentimental approach to the subject matter of what lies beyond death. Three separate story lines unfold, with the characters inevitably meeting and interacting in the final scenes.

Matt Damon plays a reluctant psychic who considers his authentic gift more of a curse since it does not allow him to live a normal life. He plays his character brilliantly. Understated and real, his performance is a craftsman like work of the actor's art. Jay Mohr plays his older brother who wants to exploit his brother's gift.

This author read an article about the friendship and collaboration of Matt Damon and Clint Eastwood, and it was evident in the flawless integration of performance and story in this film. Just a pleasure to watch.

The movie begins with a French woman journalist caught in a Tsunami which one presumes was the big one that hit Indonesia a while back. She almost drowns and has a near death experience. She is haunted by this experience and her life is turned upside down as she decides to write about her experience.

The third story line involves a shy young boy who is tragically separated from his twin.

The way these three lives are brought together is what great storytelling is all about. This is a five star movie by my reckoning, just excellent. Highly recommended.