Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Hereafter
2010
****
Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Matt Damon, Cécile de France, Frankie McLaren, Bryce Dallas Howard, Lyndsey Marshal, Thierry Neuvic, Jay Mohr

Clint Eastwood defies expectations with this multistrand story about life after death; it's maybe the first time his film has dealt with the supernatural. A French TV journalist suffers a near death experience in Thailand, a 12-year-old boy cannot get over the death of his twin brother in London, and a psychic feels cursed by his extraordinary gift in San Francisco. The stunning opening scene grabs you by the throat, then the narrative settles on a more sedated tone as it alternates between the three characters. Their paths eventually intersect in the contrived but moving climax. All in all, this is a powerful drama, that is, if you can accept its version of the afterlife.