Interesting premise, but the film works on the spot

“here” may not be like any other movie you’ve seen, a celebration of the life moments that can happen in one small spot on this big planet over time.

The film — in theaters this week — is also notable for reuniting key players from the beloved 1994 Academy Award-winning Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth.

Unfortunately, none of these highly appealing aspects are reason enough to recommend Here, which, despite some strengths, feels like a missed opportunity.

Based on Richard McGuire’s 2014 graphic novel of the same name—a follow-up to his late 1980s comics—Here is a non-linear, looping series of vignettes.

The film begins in prehistoric times, the most important place in the future United States, where you can see large insects and giant dinosaurs. Then there are meteors, ice, vegetation, natives, and eventually colonial types who dig the foundation for a modest house, lay the bricks, and begin erecting the walls.

Starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright — Tom Hanks and Robin Wright starred in “Here”. (Courtesy of Sony Pictures)

From there we spend time with the men, women and children who will come to live in a house located across the street from a much larger and historically important house. Among them are the first passengers John Harter (Gwilym Leigh, “The Great”), who soon after the development of aviation became interested in flying, which frightened his wife Pauline (Michelle Dockery, “Downton Abbey”); Leo Beekman (David Finn, “Undateable”), an inventor whose work led to a famous brand of reclining chairs, and his better half Stella (Ophelia Lovibond, “Elementary”), who supports him; and a black family — Devon Harris (Nicholas Pinnock, “For Life”), wife Helen (Nikki Amuka-Bird, “Rumors”) and son Justin (Cash Vanderpuye, “The Invasion”) — who are coping with the new coronavirus pandemic at home. . (The scene in which Devon explains, in plain terms, exactly how Justin will act if he ever gets pulled over by a cop is one of the best in the movie, reminding us of what was still going on in this country just a few years ago.)

For most of its life, however, the house has been home to the Young family since it was purchased in 1945 by World War II veteran Al (Paul Bettany, “WandaVision”) and his wife Rose (Kelly Reilly, “Yellowstone”). ). Their family will have a son, Richard, who Hanks portrayed in his youth with the help of special effects.

One day, Hanks brings home the woman with whom he will build a life, Margaret (Wright, “House of Cards”), which will be occupied most of the time by his elderly parents and their own child. .

As “Here” jumps around — among the Harters, Beekmans, Harrises and others, including Benjamin Franklin (Keith Bartlett) and members of his family — the focus remains on the Youngs.

Almost exclusively, Zemeckis and cinematographer (and fellow Gump alum) Don Burgess keep the camera in one position, the space in the frame altered by production designer Ashley Lamont (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) with elements such as furniture and curtains. Mirrors above the fireplace will eventually replace flat-screen TVs.

Co-written by Roth (The Insider) and Zemeckis, Here feels like a play that isn’t limited by the time it takes to change scenery, the film moving at a breakneck pace with the help of editor Jesse. Goldsmith (Zemeckis’ “Welcome to Marven”). He and Zemeckis cleverly use rectangles within the frame to help—if you will—preview—time transitions.

It’s all pretty interesting from a technical point of view… but that’s about the best you can say about “here”.

It’s just hard to get all invested in the characters who will celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving, make love, get divorced, and even organize weddings and funerals (years apart) in this space.

Robin Wright’s Margaret and Tom Hanks’ Richard get married in a scene from Here. (Courtesy of Sony Pictures)

Sure, it’s nice to see the dependable Hanks and Wright — Forrest and Jenny — back together, but of course Richard and Margaret aren’t as compelling. It might be tempting to put some of the blame on all the anti-aging effects done in the film on Hanks and Wright, courtesy of VFX studio Metaphsic, but it’s pretty convincing and we’re used to this sort of thing by now.

Tom Hanks’ Richard and Robin Wright’s Margaret spend one of several Christmases together in a scene from Here. (Courtesy of Sony Pictures)

Working with Hanks for the fifth time, after works that also include 2000’s Cast Away and 2022’s Pinocchio, Zemeckis imbues Here with an over-precious touch, as a talented director often wants to do. You can’t help but wonder if something more has been made of the source material in the hands of another artist.

At its core, “Here” tells the story of a son who disillusionedly follows in his father’s footsteps and the stress that time and circumstances, especially financial ones, put on couples who love each other.

That’s all well and good, but any hope that the film leads to anything even remotely profound is dashed before the credits roll.

“here”

Where: Theaters.

When: November 1.

Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, some suggestive material, brief profanity and smoking.

execution time: 1 hour 44 minutes.

Stars (out of four): 2.

Originally published: Oct 29, 2024 at 1:38 pm EDT