Product ReviewsWhat Dreams May Come (DVD, 1998)

The Afterlife Isn't What Chris Expected

If I wanted to be cynical about this film, I could say that the moral is not to get out of the car and help at the scene of an accident. That's what gets Chris Nielsen (Robin Williams) killed. Of course, I'm not giving anything away here, since this happens at the beginning of the movie, after a short prologue that offers glimpses of Chris' marriage to his wife, Annie (Annabella Sciorra). In more than a decade of bliss, there was only one dark period. Four years ago, Chris and Annie's two children, Marie (Jessica Brooks) and Ian (Josh Paddock), died in a car crash and now, tragically, Chris has joined them. One moment, he's trying to help someone trapped in a wreck; the next, he's making his way into the light.

As it turns out, the afterlife isn't what Chris expected. To begin with, he has a guide - an old mentor named Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.). He spends some time wandering around on Earth - looking in at his funeral, checking on his grief-stricken wife, and generally seeing how the world is progressing without him. Eventually, when he realizes that his continued ghostly presence is causing Annie pain, he quits this realm and heads into heaven, a place of colors, light, and beauty. But Chris is not content. Even the realization that he can again meet with his children is not enough. Then an event occurs that threatens to sever his connection with Annie forever.

What Dreams May Come has the sensibilities of an art film placed into a big-budget feature with an A-list cast. Although it is undeniably a tear-jerker, it's probably not mainstream enough to enthrall audiences and assure a big return at the box office. It is arguably too offbeat. The storyline, which has Chris relishing the serenity of heaven before taking a trip through hell, is compelling, even if the ending is a little too cute. Part of the reason the movie works is that the characters are likable. Most of us would love to have the kind of relationship that Chris and Annie enjoyed, so it's not hard to root for them to somehow find each other again, even with the chasm of death dividing them. Also, the production design is truly amazing, coming in second only to Dark City for the most visually arresting picture of the year (with the upcoming Pleasantville a close third).

The presence of Max von Sydow immediately conjures up associations with the work of legendary film maker Ingmar Bergman, and, indeed, there's something almost Bergman-esque about What Dreams May Come. This film is about life, death, and the connection between the two - themes that Bergman explored more than once. Granted, von Sydow was a lot younger when he appeared in The Seventh Seal, but the link is there. However, it's worth mentioning that had Bergman made this film, the ending would not have been as hopelessly crowd-pleasing.

Watching What Dreams May Come is like observing a series of paintings come to life. Director Vincent Ward's view of heaven is surreal and spectacular, with special effects enhancing everything from the subtle greens of the mosses and grass to the crimsons, violets, oranges, and blues of the flower petals. It's a place where thought determines reality.Read full review...

My Favorite

There is such a profound sense of drama, magic and emotion behind the story in "What Dreams May Come," a film based on the novel by Richard Matheson. There is a strong story with which anyone who loves someone else can identify, as well as an austentatious and elegant scope of visual and auditory imagery that jumps right for your eyes onscreen. Matheson's visions of heaven and hell are magnificently realized here, as well as the love between two people that is unbreakable, even after death.

The movie begins with the chance meeting of two American tourists traveling in Switzerland. Soon after, Chris and Annie become inseperable, and after their wedding, they bear two children. Many years later, Ian and Marie are killed in a car collision, leaving their parents distraught yet overcoming. Another couple of years later, Chris dies in a car accident as well, on his way to celebrate the "Double D" anniversary of his wife's emotional recovery from their childrens' deaths. This begins his trip into heaven, which is rocky at first during his attempts to console his living wife, then graduating into his acceptance of his immortality and ascemding into heaven, which turns out to be the creation of his own thoughts and settings. When he realizes that he is not completely happy without Annie, he becomes depressed, so it is no surprise that when Annie commits suicide and is sent to hell, he readies himself to rescue his wife from her emotional confines that keep her in her prison of eternal darkness.

The story for this movie is very ambitious, as are the filmmakers who bring it to life. There is an abundance of vivid memories in the form of flashbacks, many of which are precisely used to move the plot along and keep the story moving. Instead of becoming bored with the ongoing story of Annie and Chris's married and parental life, I found myself becoming more and more entranced as their lives unfolded, and say what you will, but the only way to tell a story like this is through flashbacks. If you were to take all of the memories and place them in order at the beginning of the movie, the audience would forget about the important moments that have an effects on the actions and events that take place in later instances of the film. Each one is a separate piece of the puzzle, and they all fit together quite well.

This film is one of those movies that showcases the possibilities for filmmaking in the future. Really, when you think about it, there is no way that the movie could have been made thirty years ago and still have the same impact as it does now. The settings and scenery play the most important role of the movie, for they provide the reason for the emotion and action that affects our characters. The beginning shots in Switzerland show us beautiful vistas of mountains and lakes, which will later become the inspiration for Chris's heaven, as well as many of the paintings Annie creates. Their home bursts forth with color and brightness, proving that color plays a big role in the film. When everyone is alive, everything seems light and airy. After Chris's death, all is dark, and the walls of the home seem dismal and gray. One scene in particular is a scene in which Chris watches his children being driven away in their van down a long line of lilac trees, a slight fog covering the scene. Their is that brilliance of color, yet the dark fog makes us uneasy, hence the accident that kills their children.

Heaven is elegantly portrayed in this film, and isRead full review...

"Movie worth watching over and over again"

This is one of the best movies I have ever watched. It is a movie with alot of depth in the lines and content, so you need to pay attention to all of it to get the complete impact this movie leaves. The characters do a magnificent job to make this movie what it is. I get more out of it every time I watch it. It is a beautiful story about the love one human being can have for another, no matter what life throws at them. The lines are very thought provoking and make one really think about things. It is different from any movie I have ever seen and I highly recommend watching it. It will change your outlook on many things that exist in one's life.....Read full review...

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Tear jerker for sure!

I've always loved this movie but its extremely hard to find, so when I saw it on here for the price it was at I had to buy it. The shipping was extremely fast also.

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Movie that is like a meaningful meditation

This movie is simply excellent. It stimulates INNER feelings and questions. It is not trying to stimulate you at all in the external sense. Nor is it trying to frighten. There is much beauty in it, and I found many surprises. A movie to make you feel, wonder and above all feel a deep sense of hope.

Robin Williams was great in his role, as were Cuba Gooding, Jr. and the others. Very well done. What Hollywood movies would be like more often if the corporate interests bought most of it off back in the first half of the 20th century. Now they are pandering to theatres that want horror and violence in the movies. Why? Because then people buy more popcorn!! (Supposedly a true story!)Read full review...

Altime best Robin Williams movie

amazing movie, with one of an all time greatest actors Robin Willams, extremely imaginative, great story line. Words cant truly describe this movie.

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What Dreams May Come

In my life I've wondered what my Heaven would look like. Would it be of my own personal likes or would it be the same as everyone elses? While this movie doesn't answer that question it is a great love story. To see True love endure through the torments of life was truly inspiring.
Robin Williams who is generally a comedian did an excellent job in playing in this serious role.Read full review...

A Must Watch!

The acting, direction, production, and effects are on par or better than other movies of its time. Robin Williams turns in a good performance, as usual. This movie doesn't quite capture the self-important attitude of the book's author (which is a good thing), but it does present his alternate view of the afterlife. This is the movie that opened my eyes and mind to new possibilities. While I can't say I agree with everything presented here, the presentation is well executed. Read full review...

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A film with painful tragedy and powerful love set with vibrant settings.

I loved this movie for ages but didn't have it in my library. I am so glad I have it now. Though it has sad circumstances, it also is uplifting. I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Robin Williams in moving roles.Read full review...

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This is a great love story.

This is a great love story that takes you to the end of life and back, its a must watch movie i promise you will not be disappointed!

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