Hearts in Atlantis Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A psychic fugitive hires a kid to read him the newspaper so he can avoid getting caught by shady government dudes, and also maybe the kid learns a life lesson, or something.

🍿 Hearts in Atlantis: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Summer of Change

In 1960, Bobby Garfield, an eleven-year-old boy living with his widowed mother, Liz, in a small Connecticut town, experiences a summer that will forever change his life. His days are filled with adventures with his two best friends, Carol Gerber and John ‘Sully’ Sullivan. Bobby yearns for a new bike, but his mother is preoccupied with her own life and financial struggles.

The Mysterious Ted Brautigan

A mysterious man named Ted Brautigan arrives in town and rents a room in the Garfield’s house. Ted quickly forms a bond with Bobby, offering him a dollar a week to read the newspaper aloud. As their friendship grows, Bobby discovers that Ted possesses psychic abilities and is being hunted by strange men known as the ‘Low Men in Yellow Coats.’

The Low Men and Looming Danger

Ted warns Bobby about the ‘Low Men’ and instructs him to watch for signs of their presence. Bobby learns to recognize his own emerging psychic abilities, which are heightened by his proximity to Ted. The ‘Low Men’ represent a constant threat, forcing Ted to remain vigilant and prepare for an inevitable confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins): A mysterious boarder with psychic abilities who befriends Bobby and is pursued by the Low Men.
• Bobby Garfield (Anton Yelchin): An eleven-year-old boy who develops a close bond with Ted and discovers his own psychic abilities.
• Liz Garfield (Hope Davis): Bobby’s self-centered and troubled widowed mother who initially distrusts Ted.
• Carol Gerber (Mika Boorem): Bobby’s close friend and first love who shares a special connection with him.
• Adult Bobby Garfield (David Morse): The older Bobby returns to his hometown, reflecting on his childhood and the impact of Ted’s presence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ted: “I wouldn’t have missed a minute of it, Bobby. Not a single minute. Not for the whole world, Bobby.” – Ted says this to Bobby as he’s being taken away, expressing his gratitude for their time together.
• Narrator (Adult Bobby): “That was the kiss by which all others would be measured.” – Narrator describing his first kiss with Carol, highlighting its significance in his life.
• Ted: “There are things in this world that are unseen. Things that are powerful, Bobby.” – Ted explains to Bobby about the existence of psychic abilities and the dangers they can bring.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $31,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $24,185,781
• Worldwide Gross: $30,919,415

💥 Hearts in Atlantis Reviews

Personal Review

I really loved how this movie captured the nostalgia of childhood. Seeing Bobby’s friendship with Ted develop was heartwarming, and Anton Yelchin was fantastic. The scene where Ted leaves was genuinely sad and left me with a lump in my throat. It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s definitely one that stuck with me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Stephen King adaptations”
  • “Viewers interested in coming-of-age stories”
  • “Those who appreciate movies with a nostalgic atmosphere”
  • “Audience members who enjoy films about friendship and mentorship”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Brief discussions of abuse”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Hearts in Atlantis is a quietly moving film, carried by strong performances from Hopkins and Yelchin. It may be too gentle for some, but its exploration of memory and childhood friendships resonates deeply. The film’s understated approach allows the emotional core of King’s story to shine.
• New York Times: “While it softens King’s darker edges, Hearts in Atlantis delivers a touching story of a boy’s summer and a mysterious friendship. Hopkins brings gravitas, and Yelchin is a revelation. It’s a pleasant, if not groundbreaking, exploration of childhood and the past.
• RogerEbert.com: “Hearts in Atlantis has the look and feel of a sincere adaptation, but it lacks the narrative punch and emotional depth to truly connect. Hopkins is good, but the story feels incomplete. It’s a visually pleasing, well-acted but ultimately unsatisfying experience.

Audience Reactions

Anthony Hopkins gives a masterclass in understated acting.: Viewers consistently praised the chemistry between Anthony Hopkins and Anton Yelchin, citing their performances as the heart of the film.

The film perfectly captures the feeling of a bygone era.: Many viewers found the movie to be a touching and nostalgic coming-of-age story.

Overall Consensus: Hearts in Atlantis is a sentimental and nostalgic film that benefits from strong performances but some viewers found the plot thin. It’s appreciated for its exploration of childhood friendship and loss.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the novella ‘Low Men in Yellow Coats’ from Stephen King’s collection ‘Hearts in Atlantis,’ but only adapts a portion of the larger story.”
• “Sir Anthony Hopkins and director Scott Hicks discussed psychic ability and synchronicity. Hopkins shared a story of reading a William Goldman book where Goldman mentioned working with Hopkins and Kathy Bates in ‘Misery’. Two days later, Hopkins was offered a Goldman script based on a King story.”
• “The filmmakers downplayed the supernatural elements present in the Stephen King novella, focusing more on the coming-of-age aspects and the relationship between Bobby and Ted.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hearts in Atlantis?

Currently, “Hearts in Atlantis” is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming options and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hearts in Atlantis, you might like these similar films:

• Stand by Me (1986): Coming-of-age story set in the past with a group of young friends facing challenges and reflecting on their youth.
• The Green Mile (1999): A Stephen King adaptation with supernatural elements and a strong, emotional connection between characters.
• Apt Pupil (1998): A disturbing adaptation of Stephen King’s novella with good performances, but exploring the darker side of human nature.
• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): Involves a deep friendship between a child and a mysterious, special outsider, with a touch of the supernatural.

🛒 Hearts in Atlantis Related Products

• Stephen King’s Hearts in Atlantis (Signet): The original novella by Stephen King that inspired the movie, explore the wider Dark Tower universe and the story that extends far beyond the movie. Delve deeper into the characters and the mysteries of Low Men.
• Funko Pop! Stephen King – IT: As a tie in to Stephen King and other movies, a Funko Pop! figure could sit on your desk while you are being productive.
• The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger: A book in the series The Dark Tower connects to the low men theme.
• Stand by Me [Blu-ray]: Similar themes and setting, the two movies have a relation in theme.

🎧 Soundtrack

Hearts in Atlantis features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ain’t That a Shame” – performed by Fats Domino
• “Main Title” – performed by Mychael Danna

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Warner Bros. / Castle Rock Entertainment / Village Roadshow Pictures (Hearts in Atlantis)

Ever wondered what production companies were behind ‘Hearts in Atlantis’? This short video shows the classic opening logos. It’s a quick throwback that sets the stage for the movie!

Stephen King Movies

If you’re a Stephen King fan, you’ll love this! It talks about tons of King adaptations, and ‘Hearts in Atlantis’ gets a mention. It’s cool to hear where it fits in with all the other King movies.

✨ Rate