Review: Here 2024
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The film was advertised as a film focused on Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, but some viewers may be surprised to see that Hanks doesn't appear until the first 20 minutes. The first part of the film is mainly about Richard's parents, played by Paul Bettany and Kelly Reilly, who reminisce about American life in the 1950s and 60s, with all the good and bad. As Richard and Margaret grow up, Richard's parents also age, and we see them succumb to age and illness, taking us on the rollercoaster of emotions that Richard and Margaret endure while living in the same house. One of the more interesting aspects of the production is the AI and digital rejuvenation of Hanks and Wright. This had mixed results. At times, both actors sell themselves well as young actors, but it can also be a bit distracting because we know what they look like today and the film covers such a long period of time that there is a lot to take in. Hanks does his best physically and it's a valiant effort. The supporting cast also delivers solid performances in their roles, though some subplots feel like they aren't given enough time to breathe.
All the actors do their best here, but the film itself feels disjointed and odd in pacing and structure at times. Some plot elements seem almost unnecessary, like the dinosaurs at the beginning and the other couple who lived in the house before we get to the main story. I almost feel like the film would have worked better if it had focused solely on Richard's parents and the subsequent development of Richard and Margaret. The other pieces do come together eventually, but not enough to seem completely essential to the story. Still, the ending of the film left me feeling emotionally drained, but I think that's because the personal issues I've struggled with in life were similar to those depicted on screen. And if you've struggled or are struggling with similar issues, this film will probably have a big impact on you too.
I admire what Robert Zemeckis tried to do here. It's an interesting way to tell a multi-layered story, but I'm not sure this film is very accessible to the average moviegoer. One great thing is Alan Silvestri's beautiful score, which is on par with the score for Forrest Gump and really elevates the film. This movie is available to watch for free on Flixtor info.
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