Hereafter

Hereafter, the latest movie by Clint Eastwood, combines three stories all headed toward the same conclusion: the belief in the ability to communicate with those who are dead.

Matt Damon plays an American with an unsettled life because he has a "gift," or what he terms a "curse," of being able to see dead people when he touches the living. Marie, a very successful journalist, is caught up in real-life drama when the Thai town she's visiting is consumed by a tsunami - the experience in which she almost dies takes her beyond for a few seconds. And young Marcus is consumed by the fact that his twin brother was killed while out collecting his mother's prescription medication.

I am usually fascinated and sometimes stunned by Eastwood's directorial efforts, but not so this time. I just didn't find most of the stories compelling. And the ending was quite disappointing for all three stories.

In fact, the only thing I took away from watching this film was an appreciation for the actress who played Marie, Cecile de France. I've never seen her before, but she's stunning in both her look and her acting. Everything she did was subtle yet spoke volumes.

I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone except those who are absolutely consumed with what happens after we die. And even then, I don't think those viewers will get the answers they seek.

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