Hereafter
by Gary Barnidge on October 21st, 2010
The Starting Lineup (Actors/Actresses and Director) - Cecile De France (Marie LeLay), Matt Damon (George Lonegan), Frankie McLaren and George McLaren (Marcus/Jason) Jay Mohr (Billy) and Clint Eastwood (Director)
Gary’s Thoughts – I went into this movie not knowing very much about it except that Matt Damon was in it and Clint Eastwood was directing. So my first thoughts were this movie has a chance of being pretty good. When I walked out of the theater I said to myself that movie was good but the more and more that I think about it the more that I feel this is a great movie. Its a true drama that will keep you engaged throughout the movie with three different stories in one that all come to a head in one way or another. I thought the movie delivered on an emotional side that not many movies are capable of hitting. The movie tugs at the strings of your Heart like a Harp, in a way that makes you feel the pain and despair that the characters are going through.
The Game Plan (Plot) – Three stories in one about people trying to find a place in their lives that makes sense, and don’t have to deal with the pain that is eating them up in their everyday life after tragic events rock their lives.
Touchdowns (Positives) – This is a true drama from start to the finish that hits an emotional side as well as a bewilderment side in a way that makes you ask can this really happen. Its a interesting plot that keeps you guessing what is going to happen in each of the three stories. Matt Damon delivers a very impressive performance that really makes you feel for his character and all that he is going through. This is a true drama movie but has a nice blend very subtle comedy sprinkled in to keep things a little lighthearted at times. Frankie and George McLaren both have remarkable performances in the film in the way they show the true heart ache their character feels and is dealing with.
Penalties (Negatives) – There is only one negative I had with this film and it was the stories jumped from one another too quick at times and other times it would jump to a scene that didn’t even need to be in the film.
Coaching Performance (Director) – Clint Eastwood has established himself as a premier director that knows how to touch your emotional side with such films as Mystic River, Gran Torino, Million Dollar Baby, and Changeling. This film will easily be added into that category. He knows how to work a camera around to make you feel as if you are right there. In the opening scene where a Tidal wave hits and the camera bobs in the water like a person, just makes you feel as if you are in the water watching everything happen. Also the music in the movie is iconic in the way it delivers the true nature of the characters and makes you feel sympathy for the characters and all that they are experiencing.
Game Winner (Best of the Best) - The Acting in a whole in the film is superb with great performances by Matt Damon and The McLaren brothers. The Story is very heart touching and will make you feel for the character and leave you wanting to see more of what will happen. The subtle comedy that draws you in when you think you wont be laughing during the movie will be a nice addition.
Game Summary (Final Thoughts) -This movie will leave you wanting to see more of the story. I really like this movie and it will go down as one of Clint Eastwood’s best films he has made which has a lot of competition with all the other great films he has made. If you like Eastwood’s previous movies then this is a must see, if you haven’t seen Eastwood’s other movies then go out and make this your first and you will not regret it.
Overtime (MPAA Rating) – This film is PG-13 but can be a little confusing at times if you don’t pay attention. Also it has a few death scenes that may not be something that a child on 13 would need to see. This does have a little supernatural feel to the movie. All in all this a proper rating for this film.
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