‘Here’ Movie: Zemeckis Meets ‘Wonderful Life’

 

'Here' poster. Taken by William Beavers, copyright 2024, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

In Robert Zmeckis' latest directing vehicle with Tom Hanks leading the cast, 'Here' talks about a house whose land had importance from the Jurassic era to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically being the area where Indigenous people, Benjamin Franklin's family, or Hanks' and Robin Wright's family lived and/or died. It was based on a graphic novel of the same name by Richard McGuire. 

Though there were times I was thrown off by the nonlinear storytelling, the film not moving the camera away from the one spot till the end, and that it was mostly a retelling of 'Forrest Gump' (most of the same cast and crew), I actually liked the movie. It was sweet, sentimental, and poignant, and it was good to redo 'Forrest Gump' to show Hanks and Wright's characters still being peas and carrots after over 30 years.

Paul Bettany (from the back), Robin Wright, and Tom Hanks in 'Here.' Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

While Hanks and Wright's characters of husband and wife Richard and Margaret take up most of the screen time, some other good parts came in the form of the La-Z-Boy recliner being invented, (despite thinking he slipped from American to British from time to time) Paul Bettany as Richard's father Al being a funny drunk and reminding me of Stephen Merchant, and nods to 80s pop culture such as Richard's daughter dancing to The Runaways on her cassette player or following an aerobics video. It may have been AI and some other usual Zemeckis magic, but nevertheless, it was great that the crew made Hanks look like he came back as Josh from 'Big.' It was also cool when some people thought his childhood self could've been the next Ringo Starr when he got a drum set for Christmas.

Tom Hanks and Robin Wright when they played young Richard and Margaret in 'Here.' Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

'Here' director Robert Zemeckis chatting with Robin Wright and Tom Hanks. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

In the end, elderly Richard and Margaret reminded me of old Noah and Allie from 'The Notebook.' It was nice to see that despite the drama from Richard's happiness with employment and Margaret trying to find happiness of her own, they did the best they could with the house and family. The camera zooming out of the house reminded me of the opening and closing of Forrest Gump when the feather blew to and away from Forrest's book. Perhaps the message of 'Here' is that no matter what good or bad happens in life, just be 'here' for the people you love.

In addition, there was great scoring by Alan Silvestri, and great job to the make-up department, set decorators, and the cast and crew, as well. I would give 'Here' a 7 out of 10.