Click to read the article
What Dreams May Come (1998)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:66
Fresh:36
Rotten:30
Average Rating:5.6/10
Consensus: An insubstantial plot overshadows the beautiful, surreal scenery.
Synopsis: Four years after the tragic death of their children in a car accident, Dr. Chris Nielsen (Robin Williams) is estranged from his wife, Annie (Annabella Sciora), a painter who finds solace in deep... Four years after the tragic death of their children in a car accident, Dr. Chris Nielsen (Robin Williams) is estranged from his wife, Annie (Annabella Sciora), a painter who finds solace in deep and mystical expressionist landscapes. When flustered Annie calls him for support, he rushes out to help and is killed in a road accident. His ghost is greeted by an old mentor, Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.), who leads him in Ghost-of-Christmas-Past-style to Annie's side. But when Chris realizes that his adherence to the corporeal world is torture to himself and the living Annie, he breaks free of his Earthly bonds and dives into the visual smorgasbord that is the afterlife. There he splashes though clouds and gobs of technicolor paint in breathtaking landscapes suggested to him by Annie's paintings. From there, to grandiose Romanesque cities of flying children, Chris and his old dog are met by a gorgeous stewardess, who reveals herself as a nearly forgotten face from his past. As Chris reconciles with his children in a world where imagination is his palette, in the real world Annie becomes sicker and sicker, and finally enters the afterlife herself. Due to the myriad rules of the Other Side, she is unable to join Chris or her children, and Chris begins a fight for his future with his soul mate. [More]
Starring: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding, Annabella Sciorra, Max Von Sydow
Starring: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding, Annabella Sciorra, Max Von Sydow, Rosalind Chao
Director: Vincent Ward
Director: Vincent Ward
Screenwriter: Ronald Bass
Composer: Michael Kamen
Reviews for What Dreams May Come
Aside from having one of the worst titles in recent film memory, "What Dreams May Come" fails by trying to be all things to all people.
The film lurches ... toward greatness, dazzling the viewer with a spectacular view of heaven that is not only beautiful but also profoundly moving.
Has two things going for it--its spectacular, Academy Award-nominated special effects and the fact that it ends. Everything else about this ridiculous, three-hanky film sends it sharply into nightmare.
Visually, it's one of the great movies of its decade; dramatically, it's rather blurry and baffling.
This is what happens when you try to make a philosophical movie about spirituality without making anybody uncomfortable.
This ambitious afterlife romance introduces provoking themes, but Williams eventually leads the way back to familiar hackneyed ground. The grandiose art direction provides moments of wonder, but the muddled script gives them no raison d'être.
It may push just the right buttons for some, but it had the perverse effect of making me want to wear black, read some Sartre and revel in a meaningless and empty universe.
The set design, artistic direction, special effects and cinematography of this film are all stunning.
For all its fabulous imagery and occasional dab-your-eyes moments, What Dreams May Come never rises to the wonderment of its own irresistible conviction -- that love can live beyond the grave.
This is still a very special movie experience that must be seen on a big screen, but it isn't quite the masterpiece it could have been.
Latest News for What Dreams May Come
December 12, 2007:
Total Recall: I Am Legend and the Work of Richard Matheson
This week, Will Smith plays a guy who discovers he's the last man on earth in I Am Legend. So it's a good time to take a look at the movie work of Richard Matheson, who penned... More...
More Movies
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 70% 70% | Where the Wild Things Are | 03/12 |
| 83% 83% | Paranormal Activity | 03/12 |
| 89% 89% | Zombieland | 03/12 |
| 76% 76% | The Informant! | 03/12 |
| | The Strength of Water | 03/12 |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- What Dreams May Come at Rotten Tomatoes
- What Dreams May Come at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.

Double passes up for grabs to the new comedy starring Paul Giamatti.

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection



Top Critic

