Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial creation, Hereafter, is a tension-filled drama with a glossy cast that includes Matt Damon and Cécile De France (High Tension). Eastwood is easily as iconic a director as he is an actor, and the movie, which was filmed primarily in the U.K., has garnered a generous buzz.
Hereafter is centered around the stories of three individuals who are impacted by death in various ways. Damon stars as George Lonegan, a seemingly average American who works in construction but possesses the supernatural ability to communicate with the dead. De France plays French journalist Marie LeLay, who survives a tsunami and experiences a brief encounter with death before being resuscitated. Frankie and George McLaren play Marcus and Jason, twin brothers who are separated by death.
The film follows a parallel format, with the various life events of each of the three pivotal characters happening in accordance with one another. George discovers his talent of speaking to the dead at an early age and struggles with a normal existence. He loses his job as a construction worker and drifts into a depression, believing that his gift will never allow him a social life.
Meanwhile, Marie travels to Thailand to cover a story. There she is virtually killed by the vicious 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. She’s quickly revived, and her life changes greatly as a result: she realizes she’s fulfilled by her work and wants to make a more profound impact on the world.
Over in London, the young but adept Marcus deals with the drug addictions of his mother and the death of his best friend and twin brother, Jason. Despite facing life changes, Marcus begins an unwavering journey to speak to his lost brother one last time. The story climaxes as the lives of George, Marcus and Marie collide.
Hereafter is strikingly unique, and in part because of the cast’s superb, highly poignant acting. Audiences will be dazzled by the performances of all the leads. Damon is in his typically spectacular form, and De France’s effortless ability doesn’t disappoint. But neither juggernaut outdoes young Frankie McLaren— he depicts both the maturity and boyishness of Marcus, revealing an emotional complexity that’s sure to inspire audiences. Casting for this movie was done by the Fiona Weir, a proven talent known for work on the latest three Harry Potter films and Invictus.
Eastwood’s directorial brilliance is evident throughout the film. He uses personally created tunes reminiscent of previous directorial works to smooth out scenes. Also, his insightful depiction of death creates the distinctiveness that makes the film great.
Though death and despair carry every other scene and lines like, “A life without death is no life at all,” are abundant, Hereafter is actually a very inspiring and uplifting film. Viewers should be warned that the film is not a religious take on life after death, though it is thought provoking and distinctive. Like many of the installments in Eastwood’s career, Hereafter is a must-see and a definite Oscar contender.
