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Hearts in Atlantis
User Score
7.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 5 out of 24

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  1. JohnW.
    Oct 4, 2001
    6
    It's hard to dislike the film and it's hard to accuse Stephen King of being unoriginal, but it seemed like the storyline was just a rehashing of some core King themes. We have the Northeastern Winter. We have the 50s music. We have childhood a la "Stand By Me." We have references to sports history. And, of course, we have the *weird stuff* that allows thought-provoking things to happen. What is was missing was any frame of reference to ground it to the big picture. "The Green Mile" was in its own way as relevant a movie to the death penalty as "Dead Man Walking." This was relevant only to itself; and when the movie ended it was like being on a ferris wheel -- enjoyable while it lasted but in the end you don't really get taken anywhere.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ShawnR.
    Sep 30, 2001
    3
    Is not even worth mentioning as a coming of age movie when compared to others, such as "Stand by Me". Save the $10.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. raVen
    Jul 20, 2003
    8
    Please please PLEASE read this book! I watched this movie not realizing that it was based on a King novel. I loved it so much that I bought and read the book, despite my aversion to watching-before-reading. As good as the movie is, it only contains material from the first half of the original story. Much goes untold when novels are chopped or condensed into 75 minutes--as King fans know all too well from other movie outings. Want an example? Watch the movie and try to figure out why it's called "Hearts In Atlantis." Then read the second half of King's book to find out.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. JimM.
    Nov 30, 2008
    1
    SHORT VERSION: Read the book; skip the film. LONG VERSION: I am a recently “revived” fan of Stephen King. As a teen, I loved the Shining, both book and film, and then read 4-5 more books, such as Cujo, Christine, and the Stand. Now in my forties, I’ve recently finished reading King’s Dark Tower series, considered his greatest work by many (including me), and I’ve found a new interest in reading his writings. I’ve started reading all the books which are related in some way to the Dark Tower series, of which Hearts in Atlantis is one. Hearts in Atlantis is a collection of novellas strung together by common characters, all of whom appear as the three childhood friends in the first novella on which the movie is based. This movie is based on that first novella, called Low Men in Yellow Coats. I think Stephen King is a master storyteller. His genre (horror, sci-fi) probably puts serious critics off, but King’s Constant Readers know what snooty critics cannot- the simple joy of chilling or suspenseful stories set in everyday American lives and settings. Having read the Dark Tower magnum opus (the Gunslinger Series of seven novels) before I read Hearts in Atlantis, I was able to even better appreciate the themes and references the two hold in common. It was like meeting old friends again, and catching up on old times. It must be very difficult creating believable screenplays from Stephen King books (or any books, for that matter), since it is so rarely done well. Books CAN make great films, as Stanley Kubrick (dir., The Shining) fans like me know; but it must be very hard to do. The movie versions of King books have, I’ve noticed, rarely survived their translation into film. This is a terrible tragedy, especially to those of us who, like King himself, love scary stories and scary movies. The film version of Hearts in Atlantis was very poorly translated, in my opinion. Within the first act, I realized how loosely based on the novella this movie would be, but still held out hope for a hint of King’s genius for creating believable characters. Instead, the screenplay and performances by everyone, including Hopkins I am sad to say, were stilted, wooden, and felt like a bad school play. Some critics have noted how family friendly this movie is. King books are not for families, as a general rule. This movie felt like a failed attempt at making a great King story into an ABC after school special. Surely there are better sources of material for family-friendly film fare than Stephen King books! For all things creepy, weird, and believably spooky, though, just go to your local bookstore and pick up any King book. Removing from the Atlantis film all references to the Crimson King, the Breakers, and Ted Brautigan’s connections to the Dark Tower epic, lowered the movie to a poor reflection of King’s original story. By acting, art direction, and directing that lacked passion and devotion to its roots in Stephen King’s devotion to believable characters, this film, in my opinion, went all the way down to the level of frustrating waste of time.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. AndieB.
    Sep 30, 2001
    9
    This movie was very touching. It was the kind of movie that makes the viewer sit up and pay attention, instead of the usual fare where you sit comatose and gaze at violence and things blowing up. Overall, it was touching and mysterious.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. TylerC.
    Jul 7, 2004
    2
    There was no real explanation to anything. I don't understand the power that Anthony Hopkins had. I don't understand why they were looking for him. I really don't understand the title of the movie except that there was a brief description of how magical atlantis might have been. That is one sentence in this God forsaken movie. Stephen King is a much better writer when he is going through withdrawl. … Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. RonnieW.
    Jun 27, 2008
    9
    Wonderful movie... great story. i wish there are more movies like this.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. RyanM.
    Oct 18, 2001
    9
    It says what you want it to say, is what you want it to be and unfolds how you want it to unfold, it's one of the best movies of the year.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. EmilyR.
    Oct 18, 2001
    10
    Wonderful for everyone.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. DaveR.
    Feb 16, 2002
    7
    A pleasant surprise. My wife said it made up for the last three crummy movies we rented. Sort of like "X-Files" meets "Stand By Me."
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. JamesA.,Jr.
    Jul 7, 2002
    8
    Great movie, would go to see it again, recomend it to my friends, and wish there were more like it....
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. Sam
    Oct 15, 2005
    10
    In my opinion, this is a spectacular, underated motion picture landmark. The acting, especially Mr. Hopkins. I was impressed with how the plot was about tellepathy and real-life happenings. Not some gazer beam trying to fry the world or some terrorist with a nuclear missle that'll alter the moon's orbit making chaos on earth. No, this is real stuff people. Rape, abuse, loss of a family member, loss of a friend, and financial problems. Spectacular overall, this is one of the best movies I have ever seen.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. ColeL.
    Nov 22, 2001
    8
    A Stephen King drama with heart and capability to be great. But the story did not warm you it sent a chill down you spine and sort of discouraged the further viewing of the movie. But as a gret actor he is, Anthony Hopkins really made this movie astounding.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. JamesH.
    Sep 28, 2001
    8
    Fifties music was great!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  15. JimR.
    Sep 28, 2001
    7
    A little Stephen King lite.. well-done coming of age with a little of the supernatural. A good little escape move in these difficult days for America.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. DanyellB.
    Oct 19, 2002
    10
    One of the best movie's i've seen in a while! Great story about the line between fiction and reality... Also tells about human bonding and the hardships of single mothers in that era. Made me cry!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. HunterH.
    Jul 16, 2002
    0
    This is absolutely the worst movie I've ever seen. it's worse than blair witch 2. it's worse than the omen part 4. it's worse than watching law and order. please save yourself!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  18. Iva
    Dec 21, 2003
    10
    This story is a masterpiece. Leaves me yearning for more, even after my tear ducts have been left dry.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 30
  3. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Michael Atkinson
    80
    The heartfelt use of extrasensory events as metaphors for a child's grasp of adult mysteries has a poetry to it, and the unblinking sympathy for kids struggling with evil and with the strange frequencies of prepubescent passion can, if your defenses are down, lay you out.
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  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Jay Carr
    75
    A powerful and surehandedly crafted depth charge of a movie.
  3. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Lisa Alspector
    80
    Where other King stories and hundreds of other movies simplistically exploit the archetype, this tale intricately relates the actions of its young evildoer to the more abstract forces bearing down on the adults.
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