DVD When Chris Nielsen is killed in a car accident he discovers that heaven exists within one of his wife's paintings. Yet despite this paradise he is lost without her, and when she is unable to cope with life without him she takes a tragic step that changes both of their fates forever.
Details
Dr. Chris Nielsen meets his perfect soul mate Annie and the pair eventually marry and raise two wonderful children. Their lives appear idyllic until tragedy strikes when the children are killed in a car accident. Both Chris and Annie struggle to come to terms with the loss and attempt to rebuild their shattered lives.
Things take a further devastating turn when Chris himself is killed while trying to help victims of a traffic accident. Annie is left completely alone and unable to cope with the grief that now surrounds her life.
Chris awakens in the afterlife and discovers that heaven is more extraordinary than he ever imagined. Guided by a friendly soul named Albert, he finds himself inside a world that resembles one of Annie's paintings - a beautiful and surreal paradise created from her imagination. Chris slowly learns how the afterlife works and is eventually reunited with his children, but despite this wonderful new existence he still longs to be reunited with Annie.
Meanwhile Annie, overwhelmed by grief, takes her own life. Tragically, this act condemns her soul to a bleak and tortured existence in hell rather than joining Chris in heaven. Determined to save her, Chris seeks the help of a mysterious soul tracker and sets out on a dangerous journey into the depths of hell, knowing that if he fails he may be trapped there forever.
Picture & Sound
This is a visually stunning film. The painted landscapes that form Chris's heaven are beautiful and imaginative, while hell is depicted as a haunting sea of tormented faces. Colours are rich and vibrant throughout, and the transfer maintains a consistently high bit-rate with no visible artifacting. The dark, barren tones of hell contrast superbly with the colourful splendour of heaven.
With the film being largely dialogue-driven there is limited use of the surround channels. However, during the descent into hell there are plenty of unsettling sounds and atmospheric effects that help create an eerie mood. These moments provide the most effective use of the sound design.
Overall
Unfortunately this is one of those films where, if you have seen the trailer, you have already witnessed many of its most impressive moments. The film itself often feels overly sentimental and predictable, which can make it difficult to fully engage with the emotional journey it is trying to convey.
Robin Williams also feels slightly miscast. While he clearly attempts to deliver a sincere and dramatic performance, it is difficult to completely separate him from his long-established comedic persona. At times it feels as though he is deliberately restraining his usual humour, which occasionally makes the performance feel a little forced.
That said, the film is undeniably impressive from a visual standpoint. The imaginative depiction of the afterlife and the ambitious special effects were well ahead of their time, and they remain the most memorable aspect of the film. While the story may not fully live up to its striking imagery, What Dreams May Come is still worth watching for its bold visual style and unusual interpretation of heaven and hell.
Special features
- Theatrical Trailer
- Interview with Cast and Crew
- Production Notes
