What Dreams May Come...(film)

[amicus]

...What Dreams May Come (1998)
Directed by
Vincent Ward

Writing credits (WGA)
Richard Matheson (novel)
Ronald Bass (screenplay)..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`


There was a thread on 'favorite movies' a few days ago. Since then I have thought of several more and thought more on films and screen-writers and music for films and movie making in general.

Thought even more about this particular film, with Robin Williams and Annabella Sciorra as 'Nina'.

"What Dreams May Come" is perhaps one of the most intellectually intense films I personally have ever viewed, perhaps too intense for most as I have never discovered anyone to discuss it with or even share it with.

I guess that is why I haunt the halls of the Author's forum...occasionally a bright light shines through...perhaps someone felt this film as I did.

There is also..."Dragonfly" I think that is the name, and "House of Cards", should anyone feel so inclined.


amicus...

 

[Blackie Malone]

I'm pissed because I started watching that movie and never finished for some reason, what I remember was that the effects were quite beautiful.

 

[Liar]

For those who watched this and, like me, appreciated the design and cinematography more than anything else, I'd recommend you also check out The Cell. It's an entirely different kind of cookie, but with equally stunning visuals. And another rare commodity, a Jennifer Lopez that acts well.

 

[amicus]

Yes...the graphics...and the concepts were exceptional...but...sighs...that was not the inquiry...

 

[Liar]

Yes...the graphics...and the concepts were exceptional...but...sighs...that was not the inquiry...

I didn't know there was an specific inquiry there. That's my take on the movie. The emotional aspect of it came through to me as borderline melodrama, and the intellectual dimensions...a well told tale with some classic myhological allusions. Anything more intense than that escaped me.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Yes...the graphics...and the concepts were exceptional...but...sighs...that was not the inquiry...

Just watch, don't analyze.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I saw the movie, and the visuals were stunning, but I hated the ending. *shrug*

 

[shereads]

I started to write that I'd enjoyed the movie, but "enjoyed" isn't the right word. I was in awe of the art direction, cried like a baby when the family dog greeted Robin Williams' character in heaven, and was moved by his performance (Williams'; the dog played it a little too broadly, I thought.)

As for the serious aspects...It's a hard film to discuss with objectivity. I saw it during a particularly dark time, and found the vision of a suicide's afterlife horribly punative and disturbing. Which was probably a good thing, in retrospect. I wish my friend's kid had seen it. Taking her life might have seemed scarier than whatever she was leaving behind.


Edited to add: Have you seen "Defending Your Life"? An intelligent, comic take on the afterlife theme, with some worthwhile thoughts hidden between laughs.

P.S. This is as intellectual as I get after a sleepless night.

 

[logophile]

I saw the movie, and the visuals were stunning, but I hated the ending. *shrug*

Me too!
Loved loved loved the movie.
Until the last 4 1/2 minutes.
And then I felt so cheated.

That movie took me to so many places deep inside that I don't often tap.
And then they prettied up with Hollywood bow and I sat there thinking, What the hell just happened here??

 

[Shale]

For those who watched this and, like me, appreciated the design and cinematography more than anything else, I'd recommend you also check out The Cell. It's an entirely different kind of cookie, but with equally stunning visuals. And another rare commodity, a Jennifer Lopez that acts well.

Yes, The Cell is one of my prized DVD's. As with others in my collection, I saw it in the theater first and was impressed by the visuals. Truly and "art" film. I watched it recently and was still impressed.

I liked the visuals in What Dreams May Come, but didn't care that much for the moralizing story. Perhaps because I don't really subscribe to the Christian concept of heaven and hell, and especially the Catholic taboo against suicide. So the movie, while pleasant to watch the dream sequence effects, was not overall my kind of flic.

 

[cymry]

...What Dreams May Come (1998)
Directed by
Vincent Ward

Writing credits (WGA)
Richard Matheson (novel)
Ronald Bass (screenplay)..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`


There was a thread on 'favorite movies' a few days ago. Since then I have thought of several more and thought more on films and screen-writers and music for films and movie making in general.

Thought even more about this particular film, with Robin Williams and Annabella Sciorra as 'Nina'.

"What Dreams May Come" is perhaps one of the most intellectually intense films I personally have ever viewed, perhaps too intense for most as I have never discovered anyone to discuss it with or even share it with.

I guess that is why I haunt the halls of the Author's forum...occasionally a bright light shines through...perhaps someone felt this film as I did.

There is also..."Dragonfly" I think that is the name, and "House of Cards", should anyone feel so inclined.


amicus...

I liked the book better, but then again what movie can ever compare to the book it's based on?
It was not just intellectually intense, but emotionally as well and I think it dealt with both sides of the coin rather well. Not a typical role for Robin Williams, but then again the "Fisher King" wasn't typical for him either. Both dealt with intellectual/emotional issues though the "Fisher King" tended to be quite a bit more 'in your face' in its approach.
Nielsen (Williams) is caught completely off guard by the truth of death when having to face it himself after his children are killed in an accident and his wife completely unravels under the strain and guilt. With his own children as guides he comes to understand that it isn't God or Satan who judges your life in the end, but you yourself and while he's making all these new and amazing discoveries about himself and his new world his wife is in desperate need of forgiveness, not from him, but from herself.
Truly, it was an underappreciated film.

Dragonfly will have to wait for another post...

 

[Guest]

 

[amicus]

Thanks to one and all...

Abstruse: "...Just watch, don't analyze. ..." Ah, my friend, therein lies the rub, my daughters would love it if I would just shut up and watch the film...bad genes I guess.

Shereads....was hoping you would stop by the thread...I think I have seen the film four or five times, partially...tuning in mid point or something, before finally seeing ti from beginning to end and each time I see a little more, make different connections on different levels. Not being a believer but still one who also questions the meaning of life...it was a journey to follow the thoughts of another through the possibilities and depths of imagination. thank you...No, I have not seen 'defending your life' will look for it...


Logophile....yes...took me many places also...that few even speak of...I was not really disappointed at the ending...I was glad it finally got over...and being a romantic, was pleased at the corny 'happy ending' I guess...thanks..

Shale...don't recognize your SN...welcome...and thanks for the comment., guess I need to look up 'The Shell" and take a peek.

Cymry.....Yes...Dragonfly and House of Cards both...should be addressed separately, but they came to mind as I was thinking of truly impressive films that one can watch several times and still learn from. And I have dreams that one day one of my novels will become a film and marvel at the skill of screenwriters and all involved with movie making, especially as complex and complicated as this one was. And then to find the actors and actresses that can faithfully portray what the author had in mind....thanks...

Thanks to all...


amicus

 

[kendo1]

Watched it, enjoyed it up to a point- probably the last five minutes or so.
Each to their own, I guess.
How you have lived and what you have experienced must affect your point of view when watching a film, reading a book etc.

Personally I would keep on watching The Shawshank Redemption, or Seven Samurai- Sergio Leone must have loved it.

 

[shereads]

And I have dreams that one day one of my novels will become a film and marvel at the skill of screenwriters and all involved with movie making, especially as complex and complicated as this one was. And then to find the actors and actresses that can faithfully portray what the author had in mind....thanks...

Someone please read "The Unconsoled" so I can have someone to discuss it with. I'm begging. It's by Kazuo Ishiguro who wrote the sweeter but equally painful "Remains of the Day."

For those who appreciated the art direction in "What Dreams May Come," it's worth searching for "Prospero's Books." Gorgeous. Like a drug high without the seeds.

 

[amicus]

For those who might like a synopsis and discussion of 'The Unconsoled'

http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/unconsoled/



amicus...

 

[Boota]

I loved What Dreams May Come. I didn't hate the ending, but I immediately thought of what I would have done differently. The shiny happy ending was a little too much, even though I completely understand why it was done. I like darker art, for the most part.

For instance, I would love for Tim Burton to remake the Wizard of Oz. There is just something pleasing to me about the profanation of innocence.

 

[shereads]

I loved What Dreams May Come. I didn't hate the ending, but I immediately thought of what I would have done differently. The shiny happy ending was a little too much, even though I completely understand why it was done. I like darker art, for the most part.

For instance, I would love for Tim Burton to remake the Wizard of Oz. There is just something pleasing to me about the profanation of innocence.

"Wicked," the book (I'm so insecure, I have to tell you I read it before I knew it would be famous ) is a dark retelling of The Wizard of Oz, from the POV of the wicked witch. She's not wicked at all, you see, but is involved with a resistance movement attempting to save Oz's stranger life forms from the Nazi-esque Wizard. She is probably his illegitimate daughter. Dorothy Gail from Kansas is his clueless pawn.

There's a marvelously creepy scene in the book, which I'm told was left out of the stage play, where the witch sews wings onto some cooperative monkeys...

-----

A movie that needed a darker ending:

Billy Elliot. I loved that film, but found it wholly unbelievable that the father was suddenly so accepting of his son's dancing at the end. I would have loved it if that sweet, triumphant moment turned out to be a fantasy of the son's as he made his first trip down into the mine.

 

[dj conan]

I only saw it once, a long time ago, so I don't really remember details, but I do remember that the concept fascinated me.

This was before The Matrix came out though. I got so wrapped up in the philosophy of that movie I forgot that this one even existed. (Matter of fact, The Matrix trilogy still fascinates me to this day.)

 

[English Lady]

I have watched "What dreams may come" twice, and I adore it, right down to the very, very, very happy ending. It's right it should end like that in my mind, but I love happy, happy endings.

It's an intense film and I've cried all through it both times I've watched it. My husband and I curl up together and cry together, and appreviate our love together as we watch it.

The visuals are stunning, the emotions, even more stunning to me, and I now really, really want to see this film again, soon.

 

[Boota]

"Wicked," the book (I'm so insecure, I have to tell you I read it before I knew it would be famous ) is a dark retelling of The Wizard of Oz, from the POV of the wicked witch. She's not wicked at all, you see, but is involved with a resistance movement attempting to save Oz's stranger life forms from the Nazi-esque Wizard. She is probably his illegitimate daughter. Dorothy Gail from Kansas is his clueless pawn.

There's a marvelously creepy scene in the book, which I'm told was left out of the stage play, where the witch sews wings onto some cooperative monkeys...

-----

A movie that needed a darker ending:

Billy Elliot. I loved that film, but found it wholly unbelievable that the father was suddenly so accepting of his son's dancing at the end. I would have loved it if that sweet, triumphant moment turned out to be a fantasy of the son's as he made his first trip down into the mine.

I read Wicked right around the time it was getting big, but I was clueless to it. I read the book at my girlfriends insistence. And kept reading at her insistence when I was going to quit on it. In the end I was glad I finished it, it did get a little better. I just don't see what the big deal is. I don't think it was done particularly well. What I would like to see is a remake of the original Wizard of Oz film, just done very dark and sinister. Maybe not even Tim Burton, but someone like David Cronenberg. I have a porn version in mind. I have no idea where I'm going to find enough midget lesbians to play the Carpet Munchkins, though.

I like your take on Billy Elliot. Although I haven't seen the movie. There are a lot of movies I'd like to see go that way. I'm just weird, though. When I went to see Outbreak I was rooting for the virus.

 

[shereads]

What I would like to see is a remake of the original Wizard of Oz film, just done very dark and sinister. Maybe not even Tim Burton, but someone like David Cronenberg. I have a porn version in mind. I have no idea where I'm going to find enough midget lesbians to play the Carpet Munchkins, though.

midgetlesbians.org

 

[Guest]

that movie blew me away... some of the imagry still haunts me...

Not sure I could discuss it in any intellegent fashion tho'.
Not sure I could ever watch it again either...