What Dreams May Come

Plot

After dying in a car crash a widowed man searches the afterlife for his wife.

Release Year: 1998

Rating: 6.7/10 (41,266 voted)

Critic's Score: 44/100

Director:
Vincent Ward

Stars: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., Annabella Sciorra

Storyline
Chris Neilson dies to find himself in a heaven more amazing than he could have ever dreamed of. There is one thing missing: his wife. After he dies, his wife, Annie killed herself and went to hell. Chris decides to risk eternity in hades for the small chance that he will be able to bring her back to heaven.

Writers: Richard Matheson, Ronald Bass

Cast:

Robin Williams
–

Chris Nielsen

Cuba Gooding Jr.
–

Albert Lewis

Annabella Sciorra
–

Annie Collins-Nielsen

Max von Sydow
–

The Tracker

Jessica Brooks Grant
–

Marie Nielsen

Josh Paddock
–

Ian Nielsen

Rosalind Chao
–

Leona

Lucinda Jenney
–

Mrs. Jacobs

Maggie McCarthy
–

Stacey Jacobs

Wilma Bonet
–

Angie

Matt Salinger
–

Reverend Hanley

Carin Sprague
–

Best Friend Cindy

June Carryl
–

Woman in Car Accident

(as June Lomena)

Paul P. Card IV
–

Paramedic

Werner Herzog
–

Face

Taglines:
After life there is more. The end is just the beginning.

Release Date: 2 October 1998

Filming Locations: Alameda, California, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $85,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $15,833,592
(USA)
(4 October 1998)
(2526 Screens)

Gross: $55,382,927
(USA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

The original prints of the film, which were stored at a video vault in Universal Studios Hollywood's backlot, were lost in the June 1st, 2008 backlot fire.

Goofs:

Continuity:
When Annie and Chris are reunited in Heaven, as they are facing each other talking, Annie's hair is in her face. The shot briefly changes, and when it returns her hair is fixed.

Quotes:

Albert:
Chris, "here" is big enough for everyone to have their own private universe.

User Review

The most under-rated movie ever ?

Rating: 10/10


Firstly this is an adult movie. I remember when it was marketed on its
release. It seemed to be targeted to all ages – Robin Williams off the
back of- at that time- children's movies. It promoted the technology of
the making. Overall they marketed it completely wrong, which I daresay
has led it to being placed in the mediocrity bin.

However, nothing could be further from the truth. What Dreams May Come
would have to be one of the most intelligent, emotional, visually
beautiful, and well acted projects ever to grace the screen.

Robin Williams is masterful and Sciorra perfectly mirrors her soul mate
(Williams). Their performances encapsulate all the joy and abject
sorrow human life entails. It's a movie that wants you to find real
love, see beyond cynicism and grasp the idea of soul mate. And it's all
presented in a stunningly gorgeous montage of exquisite colour and
symmetry.

From the opening shot to the closing frame, its magnificent. The story
is enveloping encompassing nearly every asset of human emotion. It's a
roller-coaster ride but rewarding. Comedy, hope, sadness, joy, elation,
despair… all displayed perfectly.

ALL actors shine, Cuba Gooding Jr is his usual excellent self and Max
von Sydow is impeccable.

The greatest movie ever? close… most under-rated movie ever? – most
probably. Watch it, very few movies will touch you as What Dreams May
Come will.