What Dreams May Come Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A doctor dies, paints his own heaven, then goes to hell to rescue his wife, only to decide maybe they should just be babies again.

🍿 What Dreams May Come: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Love Story Begins in Switzerland

Chris Nielsen and Annie Collins meet during a vacation in Switzerland. Their boats collide on a lake, leading to an immediate connection. They fall in love, marry quickly, and build a life together. Chris works as a pediatrician, while Annie is an artist and art dealer.

Tragedy Strikes the Nielsen Family

Chris and Annie have two children, Ian and Marie. Their happy family life is shattered when Ian and Marie are killed in a car accident. This devastating loss puts a severe strain on their marriage and their individual well-being. They struggle to cope with the grief and attempt to rebuild their lives.

Chris’s Death and Journey to Heaven

Years later, Chris witnesses a car accident and is killed while trying to help. He becomes a ghost, attempting to reach out to Annie, but realizing it causes her more pain, he moves on to the afterlife. Chris awakens in Heaven, which is shaped by his imagination and memories. He is guided by Albert, his former mentor.

Annie’s Suicide and Chris’s Determination

Unable to cope with the loss of Chris, Annie commits suicide. Chris learns that suicides create their own hellish afterlife. He is determined to save Annie, despite being warned that no one has ever succeeded in rescuing a soul from Hell. He embarks on a perilous journey to find her.

Descent into Hell

With the help of a “Tracker,” Chris ventures into Hell, a horrifying landscape reflecting Annie’s despair and torment. The journey tests his resolve and his memories of his life with Annie. He confronts the dark realities of suicide and the power of the mind to create one’s own reality, even in death.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chris Nielsen (Robin Williams): A loving pediatrician who journeys through Heaven and Hell to rescue his wife’s soul.
• Annie Nielsen (Annabella Sciorra): A talented artist who struggles with grief and ultimately commits suicide, leading to her descent into Hell.
• Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.): Chris’s friend and mentor from his medical residency who guides him through Heaven and is later revealed to be his son, Ian.
• The Tracker (Max von Sydow): A guide who helps Chris navigate Hell, but ultimately has his own agenda.
• Marie Nielsen (Jessica Brooks Grant): Chris and Annie’s daughter who dies in a car accident and is later encountered in Heaven.
• Ian Nielsen (Josh Paddock): Chris and Annie’s son who dies in a car accident and reappears as Albert to guide his father.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chris Nielsen: “Thank you for every kindness. Thank you for our children. For the first time I saw them. Thank you for being someone I was always proud to be with. For your guts, for your sweetness. For how you always looked, for how I always wanted to touch you. God, you were my life. I apologize for every time I ever failed you. Especially this one…” – Chris expresses his love and regrets to Annie during their anniversary, foreshadowing their eventual separation.
• Albert: “People who commit suicide don’t go to heaven.” – Albert explains the consequences of suicide and the challenges Chris will face in finding Annie.
• Chris Nielsen: “I’m going to Hell to get my wife back.” – Chris declares his unwavering determination to rescue Annie, despite the immense danger.
• Chris Nielsen: “For eternity? I choose you. ” – Chris makes a definitive declaration of his love, choosing to stay with Annie even in Hell.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $85,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $55,382,927
• Worldwide Gross: $55,383,166

💥 What Dreams May Come Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie really hit me hard. The visual landscapes of Heaven and Hell were unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I found myself completely invested in Chris and Annie’s love story and desperately hoping for a happy ending. The scene where Chris finds Annie in Hell was particularly haunting, and I was on the edge of my seat hoping he could reach her. It’s a tear-jerker for sure, but the exploration of love, loss, and the afterlife is truly profound.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Robin Williams”
  • “Viewers interested in afterlife themes”
  • “Those who appreciate visually stunning films”
  • “People who enjoy emotional dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide”
  • “Grief and loss”
  • “Depictions of Hell”
  • “Intense imagery”
  • “Thematic elements”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Visually stunning and emotionally ambitious, What Dreams May Come struggles with a muddled plot and heavy-handed sentimentality, yet is worth watching for its artistic vision.
• Roger Ebert: “The film’s vision of the afterlife is breathtaking, a landscape painted with emotion. While the narrative falters at times, the sheer imagination on display makes it a worthwhile experience.

Audience Reactions

The visuals are amazing and unforgettable.: Viewers were blown away by the unique depiction of Heaven and Hell, praising the creativity and artistry of the film.

A truly moving love story that explores the depths of commitment.: Many viewers were deeply touched by Chris’s determination to save Annie, highlighting the film’s powerful message about love conquering all.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that explores themes of love, loss, and the afterlife, though some find the plot muddled and sentimental.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Visual Effects)- 1999

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Annabella Sciorra initially hesitated to take the role, finding the subject matter too intense and sad. It was a read-through with Robin Williams that ultimately convinced her to join the project.”
• “The film’s depiction of Heaven was heavily inspired by the paintings of Maxfield Parrish, known for their vibrant colors and idealized landscapes. The production team used these paintings as a visual reference for creating the film’s afterlife settings.”
• “The ‘sea of faces’ sequence in Hell was created using a combination of practical effects and CGI. Hundreds of extras were used to create the initial landscape, with digital effects added to enhance the nightmarish quality of the scene.”

🖥️ How to Watch What Dreams May Come?

What Dreams May Come is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Keep an eye out for special deals and bundles.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed What Dreams May Come, you might like these similar films:

• Ghost (1990): Both films explore the afterlife and the enduring power of love beyond death, with a protagonist attempting to connect with a loved one from beyond the grave.
• The Lovely Bones (2009): Deals with themes of loss, grief, and the afterlife, featuring a protagonist observing their loved ones from a spectral realm.
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): Explores themes of love, loss, and memory, and the lengths people will go to for love, even if it means traversing difficult emotional landscapes.
• Flatliners (1990): Explores the theme of afterlife and what exists beyond death.

🛒 What Dreams May Come Related Products

• What Dreams May Come [Blu-ray]: Experience the stunning visuals of ‘What Dreams May Come’ in high definition with this Blu-ray edition. A must-have for fans of the film and collectors of visually striking movies.
• Original Soundtrack – What Dreams May Come: Relive the emotional journey of the film with the original soundtrack by Michael Kamen. A beautiful and haunting score that perfectly complements the film’s themes.
• “What Dreams May Come” Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying your love for this visually stunning film.
• Custom Canvas Print – What Dreams May Come Inspired Art: Create your own dreamscape with a custom canvas print inspired by the movie’s surreal and vibrant imagery. Personalize your space with art that evokes the film’s themes of love and the afterlife.

🎧 Soundtrack

What Dreams May Come features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Chris & Annie’s Theme” – performed by Michael Kamen
• “Beside You” – performed by Mark Snow (as Martin Fulterman) and Michael Kamen

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

A Man Escaped From HEAVEN And Went To HELL To Find A Wife

Curious about the main plot of “What Dreams May Come” without having to watch the entire movie? This 11-minute recap has got you covered, giving you the essential details in a concise and engaging way!

I’ll follow you into the dark//What Dreams May Come

Get ready for a heart-touching tribute to “What Dreams May Come”! This video beautifully weaves together iconic scenes and a haunting song, capturing the essence of the film’s exploration of love, loss, and the afterlife.

What Dreams May Come – Ennio Morricone – Part 1

Immerse yourself in the world of “What Dreams May Come” with a twist! This video seamlessly blends the movie’s visuals with Morricone’s powerful score, creating an unforgettable symphony of emotions.

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