Review of What Dreams May Come (1998) by Panta O — 06 Aug 2013

Last night I watched this movie third time... and it is still as I remember seeing it originally: breathtaking, gorgeous, imaginary with daring concept of after life, taking us on surreal journey which at the end finishes ordinary. This fantasy drama directed by Ward and is based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson, and has an impressive cast: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Annabella Sciorra and Max von Sydow.

The first thing you will notice about this film is the colourful cinematography! With a reason, I may add. What Dreams May Come was shot largely on Fuji Velvia film and is one of the few films to have been shot in this manner. The Fuji Velvia film is known among landscape photographers for its vivid colour reproduction, and here was used the best possible way.

The special edition DVD shows an alternate ending - which is the ending from the novel . There is no choice here for the reincarnation, it is simply a part of the natural order. This ending is telling us that Chris and Annie will meet again in their new lives, but Annie must atone for killing herself - her new incarnation will die young, and Chris will spend the remainder of his new life as a widower before the two are once again reunited in Heaven. In this ending the story moves to Sri Lanka where a woman is giving birth to a little girl, presumed to be Annie. In Philadelphia, a little boy is born, presumably Chris. This ending was left roughly edited and unfinished... Anyway, the novel has significant differences from the film, in both its plot and its vision of the afterlife.

This movie was never a box office success. It won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the 71st Academy Awards in 1999, it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Art Direction, and won the Art Directors Guild Award for Excellence in Production Design, but the critics were not too kind in their reviews. I do not understand why! I know that the plot could be deeper, but even in this version we almost reached two hours... ok, the ending could be more daring as well... but it was a very good movie, whatever way you want to look at it. Far from perfect, of course, but an experience which stays in mind for a long, long time. I've never seen a movie which has a vision of Heaven and hell with such creativity and conviction, even with a familiar story of true love.

If you like a movie which will take you on a familiar journey with incredible visual scenes which will be a part of your most vivid dreams in the future, please, do not miss the opportunity to see the outstanding performances of all of the actors involved!