You will meet a tall, dark psychic in the Hereafter. Clint Eastwood has done it again and adds to his film hit-list by creating another gifted genre movie about an uneasy psychic George Lonegan (Matt Damon). Peter Morgan's screenplay fares well under Eastwood's direction.The film follows the lives of three individuals in different cities in different countries, seeking answers to life’s greatest paradox: is there life after death? The seekers have never met and, on the face of it, are not a part of the same equation.
George, the loner, worries about job security in San Francisco. In France, Marie Lelay (Cecile De France), the journalist, fears the boot by France’s biggest publisher Didier (Thierry Neuvic) and worries about her job security. In London a mom worries about keeping her job as mother to identical twins Marcus/Jason (Frankie McLaren and George McLaren ). Clint’s job is to connect this people bazaar with karmic ties that land them in the same city meet-up at the end.
Death-and-loss themes run through this film, but Eastwood is reassuring his audience while raising directly the possibility of death at every age. He introduces the idea of reincarnation or rebirth. Here Clint paints with flat finish rather than a shiny one that only a psychic can divine. Speaking of divine - God does not have a role in Hereafter. He is never mentioned nor is there love for Asia after the tsunami. No eating in George’s cooking class in Frisco and just a wisp of praying at a funeral in London.
So how does Eastwood introduce reincarnation and life after death? One way is through George. He is obsessed with and falls asleep to the readings of Charles Dickens. That love changes his life in unexpected ways. And where does George get this ability in the first place? He explains it as an operation gone badly. Simultaneously, in France, there's talk of a “silent conspiracy” against those who make clinical studies of the NDE or near-death experience.
The recreation of the December 26, 2004, tsunami is a heavy piece of history that most recall. The tsunami event, in an unnamed city, explores the NDE in beautiful sequences. Here Marie dies and recalls something while she is gone - a very hazy vision and feeling of floating. Is that all? I did not get it. I found it to be no more than a mediator’s forgotten dream experience, unconvincing, nice try.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Errol
I'm not sure what the reviewer was trying to communicate in her review but it seemed to be disappointment with the film or was it? I can't tell what she was trying to communicate. I have to say, if you don't like the movie, say so. Don't dance around the bush trying to sound intellectual when it's beyond your reach.
How about simply saying that Clint's direction was good, bad or indifferent? The actors gave good, bad or indifferent performances. Finally, the movie was good, bad or indifferent. Now, was that hard?
2 - Heloise
Errol your name should be error. I said that Matt gave an excellent nuanced performance. The whole point is that the film was not in your face and therefore this review reflects the kind of film.
I don't have to try to sound intellectual. I write the words that come to my mind. Call that what you will. I said that Clint did it again, making another HIT film. Can you read my friend?
3 - Heloise
What's more how dare you? I held a blog on just this very subject and wrote book and verse about life and death. And studied Buddhism who are the masters of transition while conscious. What I am really saying is that Clint needs to consult me next time. That is what I am really saying if you need to know. Otherwise keep your uneducated comments to yourself.
4 - Mary
Heloise, I'm sorry but I agree with Errol. You were indifferent in your review. And why in the world would Clint Eastwood consult you? If you are going to write a review or write at all in a public forum, you should be able to handle comments and not blast the other person for their views.
5 - Heloise
Mary you are quite contrary aren't you? I am not Juan and you are not NPR. I can express my OPINION and NOT like the comments. I like my review...thank you very much. Poets often write between the lines and that is where you must read it. Geez, I am having a bad day and you two just made it worse.
6 - Heloise
What have you two written that is buzz-worthy lately?
7 - doug m.
The reviewer tries to be clever but isn't. Damon is neither tall nor dark.
And why would Clint come to you about anything? What an ego. But I thank you for the laugh.
8 - Heloise
Doug you can just join Mary and Errol in my estimation.
9 - Dingo
Errol and Mary are right. You wrote a very ineffectual review. Neither of them have to write anything buzz worthy... you didn't, and critiquing isn't their job, it's yours. You did it badly. Don't obsess over it and fight the commenters. Take a step back, reread it, and try to see where they're coming from. Then, next time, write a more effective, and clear review. Also, check the ego at the door.
10 - hillcoguy
Wow! A hornets nest....and as always, one who tries to controll everyone elses opinions! No matter, I loved the film! Was there gratuitous sex? Only if a single passionate kiss is such. Was there violence? Just the death of a child by several bullying boys and the terrorist bombing...both things that are in todays headlines. Lonely people with a strong need, finding each other by accident, or was it by design?? Clint Eastwood has really come into his own. The man is brilliant and was it his piano playing? Bet it was.
11 - El Bicho
hillcoguy, try to learn how to speak about movies without spoiling them for others
12 - Rhiannon
i thought this review was very understandable. we all struggle internally to understand what is not understandable. This movie was very very... ambiguous and the only way to do it justice can be ambiguity. If your going to be rude dont speak at all.
13 - Debbie
Heloise, you put into words a counterpoint to what struck me about this movie - the ambiguity about the near death experience and beyond was preferable to a 'bold' interpretation of the subject. I find it a personal topic, and not one to be shown by Clint's direction, or any other human, what it will eventually be.
14 - Heloise
Dingo take your seat next to the dumbos. I am a poet. I have reread it and IF YOU see the movie you will see that my review is spot on perfectly nails it. I think you all have not read my other many many intellectual reviews. Read A Serious Man review for example, it mirrors the movie. I have written over 200 articles for BC and I ain't about to dumb em down for you.
Clint will come calling.
15 - Heloise
There was NO sex in the film, a dreamy kiss only. My review nails this film. I am not Juan and you are not NPR censors.
16 - Heloise
Debbie I don't get your comment. Can you break it down for me.
17 - Heloise
Rihanna thank you. You get it. My ambigious review mirrors the movie. I did not blast or slam the movie because it did not meet up to my insider Buddhist knowledge which is considerable. Clint did a good job. When he is ready, before he dies hopefully, to make a truly insider's look at life after death he will need me. As a former president, I still have a big F*&(in ego.
18 - Walter
I came here on site to read reviews. I read comments of people 'speaking their mind'. I cannot believe the author with her 'bully' attitude towards others responding to the article by using her education status by making herself more superior.
Only superior persons can handle critics.
I'll make a deal. I'll return to this website if you go back to poetry.
Have a good day!
19 - Davora
I am a psychic medium & this movie brought tears to my eyes. It sheds a light on the stigma & the way mediums are thought of by the general public. I became a sensitive after my 26 year old son committed suicide. Some kind of chemical change occurs in in the brain of those who go through such an event & you can never be the person you were before. When you suffer such a loss -you need assurance that life goes on. My religion offered little comfort at this critical time in my life. So I had to find out the truth for myself. I can relate to to the character in the movie - the mother who was so desperate to connect with her dead daughter. I think Matt Damon portrayed what a real medium goes through - from the jolt that can actually be felt when a connection is made to the exact area of of the brain that is activated in a medium. On behalf of all mediums out there, I want to say thank you to Clint Eastwood for explaining to the world what we go through every day.
20 - ALICIA
Anyone who disagees with you should not even read what you have to say. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and allowed to express their opinions with out being bullied by the Author of the review. I have to wonder if you even saw the movie. I just came out of seeing it and a lot of what you write is NOT even accurate.
Also, just who do you think you are stating Mr. Eastwood will be consulting you in the near future? Dont think so babe. Your ego is huge and it needs checked at the door.
Also, I would be more than happy to point out all of the inaccuracies in your review. Would you like my help? Or should I just save it for my own blog? Cheers!
21 - El Bicho
feel free to list them here, Alicia
22 - ALICIA
You will meet a tall, dark psychic in the Hereafter.
*Matt Damon is Not tall 5'10" is average, he is pale and as to whether or not he is handsome is debatable.
The film follows the lives of three individuals in different cities in different countries, seeking answers to life’s greatest paradox: is there life after death?
*The character Matt Damon plays is NOT seeking the answer to this question. The other 2 characters are.
George, the loner, worries about job security in San Francisco.
*George is not worried about job security. In fact there is a scene where a co-worker says that 30% of the employees are going to be let go. He did not act concerned and he took the severance package voluntarily. George leaves the country because he does not want to start a "company" doing readings for people with his brother. And he said in the letter to his brother that he did not know when he would be back. That does not spell being worried about job security to me.
In France, Marie Lelay (Cecile De France), the journalist, fears the boot by France’s biggest publisher Didier (Thierry Neuvic) and worries about her job security.
*Marie took time off to write a political book, then changed her mind and wrote about her NDE. The publicist did not like it, but she didnt seem worried. In fact the publicist called her back THAT very evening and said that he felt bad about their reaction to her book and that he had made phone calls and found 2 publicists that were interested in her book. One English, and One American. It worked out for her. Marie was not worried and did not act worried.
In London a mom worries about keeping her job as mother to identical twins Marcus/Jason (Frankie McLaren and George McLaren ).
*I snort-laughed when I read this line! This mother was a drugged out drunk. She didnt care about her job as a mother. The twins cared about her and took care of her so that child services would not take them away from her. Child services had been there numerous times and it was the twins who covered for her.
Speaking of divine - God does not have a role in Hereafter.
*You must have been at the bathroom for this scene that can be the only reason to explain this comment. Marcus skipped lunch during school and went to use a computer and looked up info about life and death. He was on YouTube and saw several videos one referring to Allah, and the other referring to God in the Catholic sense.
No eating in George’s cooking class
*Ummmm.....what did you think they were doing when they had the blindfolds on and were tasting food? I believe that is called eating.
but Eastwood is reassuring his audience while raising directly the possibility of death at every age. He introduces the idea of reincarnation or rebirth.
*There was not apparent aspect of this. Marie and George reinvent themselves, I would not call this a rebirth.
and George’s dock job will dry up. He tries to take up a normal life and new line of work, but can’t escape his calling to talk to the dead.
*Leaving the country and not telling your brother when you will be back is not a "normal life". George actively tells people that he will not help them anymore and doesnt. Until Marcus follows him to his hotel and stands outside for hours. Then George helps him make contact with his brother.
Just a couple of things that I found to be inaccurate!
Cheers!
23 - lela sassen
I enjoy Matt and think Eastwood was wasted in front of the camera, so very talented behind it. I predict I will see this movie and enjoy it...:)
24 - Heloise
My review is perfect, don't F it up with your rewrite. Going to another country is part of a normal life. I've done it many times. He was into Charles Dickens, hence London.
It did not say he was running away to England and never coming back or anything of the sort.
25 - Heloise
I've been into the occult and studying members of my family journey from past life to present life before most of you keybored critics were even born!