Hard core movie buff question

[Krurk]

-edit-

Past due now.

[Siji]

That's the one with Robin Williams correct? Never can remember the name of that one.. But if it's what I'm thinking of, it's a good movie. Liked it a lot. Not an 'expert' on it however.

Just about anything with Robin Williams in it is great. I wish the man would make more movies more often. I see him being put in the actors 'group' thingie that they have.. last person I saw put in was Tom Hanks, just can't remember what the organization is called.

[Fairweather Pure]

Specific questions please.

[Rivera Bladestrike]

I thought it sucked... far too depressing, the entire movie was kept you upset, and the ending didn't bring your emotions to a satisfied point.

[Hayley]

Saw it and loved it. A little bit sad and the cinematography was outstanding.

[Arborealus]

Really great effects as well...pretty angsty though yeah...

[Krurk]

-edit-

Past due now

[Siji]

Good point, she had not given me any questions at the time...

#1 The movie is considered an epic. What elements of the movie support this?

#2 What is the underlying theme? The story involves the main character going to hell to get his wife.

#3 In your opinion, do you feel the movie effectively conveyed the message in #2?

#4 Do you see any symbolism to the children choosing who they may be in heaven?

#5 What is your opinion on people selecting their own heaven?

1. By whom? I wouldn't consider this an epic movie, although it was very different and I liked it a lot.

2. A couple's children die in a car accident (minivan accident, whatever) and then the husband then ends up dying (in another car accident I think).. The wife then ends up committing suicide out of depression. After the husband is dead, he meets a couple of other dead people who guide him through where he's at. The black man (Cuba Gooding Jr) ends up being his son in his chosen image, and someone else I can't remember ends up being his daughter (the old guy that helps him search hell for his wife?). They took impressions of people that their parents liked during their lives and imitated those in the afterlife. In any case, Robin Williams hears about a possible way to save his wife after he finds out she is also dead, but was sent to hell since suicide is a mortal sin, and bring her back to where he is. He goes to the old guy that helps him search, then finds her, talks to her, almost loses himself to hell in the process (mentally) and finally breaks her (his wife) and makes her realize who she is, where she is, and that she needs to come back with him. In the time that he's convincing her of all this, there's a lot of flashbacks of her in a mental institution and such before she died (if I'm remembering correctly). In the end they all live in Heaven happily ever after.

3. Personally I think it did, but then again I'm a big fan of Robin Williams and some of the cinematography in this movie was really, really good. It was well written and the flashbacks were done well (unlike a Terantino flick where you don't know where/when you are).

4. I can't remember well enough the reasons they chose to be who they chose to be, but I remember it made sense at the time when I saw the movie.

5. That's almost a religious question that's going to have a different answer for almost every single response you get. First you have to believe in some kind of afterlife. Second you have to decide if you believe in God or not. And if you do, you likely believe that he determines what Heaven is. Or, you may believe that Heaven ends up being what would make you happiest. If you don't believe in God but believe in an 'afterlife' of some sort, you could think any number of things.. Personally, I don't think there is a 'place' called heaven. I think it'll end up being a different level of consciousness or some kind of experience that I can't currently comprehend as a human being.

It's really a movie you either love or hate. If you overanalyze it you're going to find all sorts of holes in the plot/story. If you take it for what it is, it's a nice little story that has a chance to move feelings inside of ya.

http://efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=193&reviewer=50

http://www.amherst.edu/~astudent/1998-1 ... reams.html

http://articles.student.com/moviereview/whatdreams

I tried to find a copy of the script online for ya, but wasn't able to.

[kyoukan]

I'm enough of a film buff to scoff at someone actually studying such an average movie in film school.

That probably isn't all that helpful though.

[Krurk]

Thanks Siji.

Kyoukan, one thing I have learned over the years is that there is a reason why in-state schools are so cheap in Florida :roll:

[Aslanna]

Doesn't anyone do their own schoolwork anymore?

[Truant]

I'll see what I can do...I liked the movie...but hardly find it study - worthy...

#1 The movie is considered an epic. What elements of the movie support this?

Well the basic plot follows a few classic epics. Hero journeys through hell, risks life and soul for the one he loves, etc. Other than the obvious parallels (which i would just call copying an effective formula) it's hardly epic.

#2 What is the underlying theme? The story involves the main character going to hell to get his wife.

I'd say the main theme is "Love conquers all" *insert cheese here*

#3 In your opinion, do you feel the movie effectively conveyed the message in #2?

Well you can't get more overdramatic then going to hell and back now can you...so I'd say yes.

#4 Do you see any symbolism to the children choosing who they may be in heaven?

They make this blatantly obvious in the film...the daughter chooses someone who her father admires for beauty...to obviously try and have that admiration from her father. I honestly don't remember why the son chose how he did...

#5 What is your opinion on people selecting their own heaven?

This is an opinion question...therefore there is no wrong answer, as long as you don't second guess.

Hopefully it's not too late...and if it is, I probably wasn't helpful anyways.