I appreciate director Robert Zemeckis for taking a creative chance to give us something unique. I think placing the camera in one specific location throughout most of the movie could have worked better if the stories were somehow more tightly related. There were a few moments that had causal tendrils in the past, but for the most part, it felt like watching a series of unrelated stories, all mixed together. It worked sometimes, but not perfectly. Most of the time, it felt like a gimmick.

I think the limited camera point of view limited how the actors could express themselves. There was less drama in many moments because the camera couldn’t give the actor the proper attention they needed. That’s not to say there was never any drama. I came to tears during the lecture that the black parents gave to their son. It was poignant because it’s so real. It hurts to think how many parents have had to have that lecture. Speaking of which, the black family got far too little screen time. And the story about colonial times felt unnecessary, or at least not interesting. The same can be said for the inventor guy. I didn’t feel their story added anything to the overall movie.

Of course, the focus was on Richard and Margaret (Tom Hanks and Robin Wright). I’m sure that’s what most people came to see. There is a really good message in the story about what Richard learned regarding playing it safe but always missing out. If there’s anything we learned from the inventor, it’s that his combination of self-confidence and the support he got from his wife made all the difference in their lives. By contrast, Richard and Margret gave nothing like that to each other. I think this could have been better all around if it were shot as a traditional movie and focused on Richard and Margaret’s relationship. Then again, that story has been told countless times.

Ultimately, with Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in a Robert Zemeckis movie, I had high expectations that weren’t quite met. But once again, I do appreciate the creative risk Zemeckis took. Maybe this will inspire someone else to do something similar, but with more captivating stories that are entwined.

Grade: C+

About The Peetimes: I would recommend either of the first two Peetimes. The movie becomes more intertwined toward the end.

There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Here.

Rated:	PG-13) NA
Genres:	Drama
USA release date:	2024-11-01
Movie length:
Starring:	Kelly Reilly, Tom Hanks, Michelle Dockery
Director:	Robert Zemeckis
Writer(s):	Eric Roth, Robert Zemeckis, Richard McGuire
Language:	English
Country:	United States

Plot
From the reunited director, writer, and stars of Forrest Gump (1994), Here is an original film about multiple families and a special place they inhabit. The story travels through generations, capturing the human experience in its …