Hopkins shows sentimental side in 'Atlantis'
By Jennie Loughridge
Old Gold and Black Reviewer

As I looked over the movie listings last weekend, the prospects seemed limited. I couldn’t find any movie that I really wanted to see. There were definitely movies playing that I wanted to avoid, namely Mariah Carey’s new film Glitter, centered around a character oh-so-similar to Mariah Carey. Leelee Sobieski has two movies out in theatres right now, but I didn’t care to see either of them. She looks like a mini-Helen Hunt; I just don’t like it. Finally I saw that Hearts in Atlantis had been released: it seemed to be my safest bet if I wanted to see a good movie. I thought if Anthony Hopkins did the film, it must be somewhat intelligent and interesting. Has everyone’s favorite cannibal ever made a bad movie? As I sat down in the theatre, I hoped that Sir Anthony would not disappoint.

Hearts in Atlantis is based on the novel by Stephen King. Trailers and commercials told observant viewers this when they advertised the movie as being “from the writer of The Green Mile.” Saying that the movie was based on the book by Stephen King may alienate some moviegoers who avoid “creepy” King movies. Many film audiences associate King with strictly horror, forgetting he also created such moving stories as The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me.

Hearts in Atlantis is a far cry from King stories like Carrie or Misery. This story, set in 1960, is centered around a mysterious old man named Ted Brautigan (Hopkins). He is the new tenant of the upstairs apartment in the house of young Bobby Garfield (Anton Yelchin). Garfield lives in the house with his self-centered mother who spends all of their money on pretty dresses. The boy is instantly intrigued with Brautigan, and they quickly become friends. Garfield feels a certain mysterious presence about him. The movie centers around this mystery. Brautigan tells Garfield that “lowmen” are looking for him, and if the boy should ever see anything strange, he should tell him immediately. Garfield questions what Brautigan is running from, but the old man never clearly says. As the plot progresses, the puzzle begins to fit together and the answers become clear.

Hearts in Atlantis, however, is more than just a story about the friendship between an old man and a young boy. It also beautifully portrays the innocence of childhood and the carefree feelings that are only known in youth. As Garfield and his two best friends play happily on the front porch, Brautigan remarks that childhood is “a magical place, like Atlantis.” But, like any child, Garfield’s life is not all magic. His mother doesn’t seem to care much about the well-being of her son, neglecting to get him a birthday present and constantly putting him on the back burner. This lack of attention intensifies Garfield’s connection to Brautigan, and makes it that much harder for the boy when he starts seeing signs of the “lowmen.”

To tell you more than that would pretty much ruin the movie. The evolving mystery around Ted is essential to the film’s progression and makes it interesting to watch. But Hearts in Atlantis is not some story of unearthly supernatural powers. Brautigan’s “gift” is believable, and, because the movie is set in the age when McCarthyism still lingered, the reason Ted is running is quite plausible as well.

Simply put, Hearts in Atlantis is a beautiful film. Director Scott Hicks, the Oscar-nominated director of Shine, keeps the movie at a fairly quick pace, even though the story is not action packed. He uses a great deal of cross-cutting towards the end of the film that effectively helps to build tension. The film is very well put together. The beautifully framed shots, combined with background noises like wind chimes and church bells, creates this sense of magic around Brautigan and the children. If you have a similar sense of wonderment when you think about your own childhood, you’ll definitely like Hearts in Atlantis.

So, as of now, I have yet to be disappointed with an Anthony Hopkins movie. Sure, Remains of the Day might have been a little boring but I would not say it was “bad.” Hearts in Atlantis is far from disappointing; I think it is the best all- around movie Hopkins has made in years. If you’re looking for a heartwarming, thought-provoking story, this will be the perfect movie for you.