"Hearts in Atlantis" – Innocence Lost, Adulthood Found by Homer Yen (c) 2001
"Hearts in Atlantis," set in a sleepy neighborhood in the carefree era of the early 60s, follows in the vein of other Stephen King tales about nostalgia and innocence lost (most notably "Stand by Me" and "The Green Mile"). It is a purposefully paced story that focuses on the uneasy transition from boyhood to adulthood. It reminds us of the gentle awakenings to the often-sinuous world that lie waiting for us when we finally grow up. It sympathizes the inevitable fact that growing up frequently leaves us more disillusioned and less hopeful.
Adults and children view the world in very different ways. For the grown-up, what they see is panoramic in scope. They see much of what is good like the innocence of children, the beauty of books, and rejoice in the ever-lasting effect of that first kiss by which all others will be judged.
However, with the wisdom that they have acquired over a lifetime of experiences, they also see what is bad. They recognize the presence of things that are ominous. Such is the case of the mysterious Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins), a transient fellow who shows up one day at the home of young 11-year old Bobby (Anton Yelchin). He has come to rent out the extra room upstairs.
His mom (Hope Davis) is unsettled by his appearance. "I never trust a man who carries his possessions in grocery bags," she says. But that doesn't matter to Bobby. For children, what they see is more selective. It's as if they are looking into a mirror, gazing upon a reflection, and seeing only what they want to see.
Currently, Bobby's world centers on his best friends, Sully (Will Rothhaar) and Carol (Mika Boorem), and a lazy summer that never seems to end. It consists of reading books on a giant tree branch that rests over a babbling brook, the hope that a new bicycle awaits him, and a glorious night at the local fair.
This is the last summer of Bobby's childhood. Partially, it's because he's 11 going on 12. Partially, it's due to his emerging friendship with Ted. Bobby's Dad died seven years ago, and his mom is too distracted with her job to invest the kind of love that every 11-year old needs. Meanwhile, Ted offers cold root beer, will pay Bobby a dollar a week to read him the newspaper, and asks him to keep an eye out for "Low Men" who wear dark hats and drive official-looking cars. They are the bullies in his life.
Bobby begins to slowly learn that it's time to stop gazing into the mirror and to try to struggle with the world's realities, even if it is more than any 11-year old can hope to imagine. Sully is more than just his friend. Carol is more than just the pretty girl next door. Mom does love him. And the world is bigger than the block on which you live, meaner than the local bully, and more complex than your feelings after your first kiss. Alas, the mysteries of adolescence may never be understood. And, as Ted so eloquently yet sadly remarks, "there are some moments of happiness that you live in some place magical that Atlantis must have been. Then we grow up and our hearts break into two."
Grade: B-
S: 1 out of 3 L: 1 out of 3 V: 1 out of 3
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