At 72 years old, the American director still enjoys tinkering with the medium of cinema. As he did in the awesome Who wants Roger Rabbit's skin? in 1988 (which mixed animation and live action), the dizzying The Walk in 2015 (which skillfully played 3D) or, obviously, in Forrest Gump in 1994, which incorporated Tom Hanks into archival footage. With an Oscar for best director up for grabs.
Thirty years later, Zemeckis reunites with the Tom Hanks-Robin Wright couple, but also their screenwriter Eric Roth, for a new dive into American History where, as in Back to the future in 1984, he mixed the eras.
Scenes from domestic life
In this exploration of the life that flows in a house, we think of the sublime A Ghost Story in 2017. Except that Zemeckis has neither the poetry nor the depth of David Lowery and does not live up to the work of Richard McGuire. If he takes up the idea of nesting the different periods in the same frame, using comic strip-style panels, the filmmaker never goes beyond illustration.
Zemeckis is content to depict scenes from domestic life to reread the American dream and travel through the history of the United States, echoing the pre-Columbian period, but not going into the future like McGuire. While the filmmaker moved the action from New Jersey to New England, in a house built just opposite the mansion where William Franklin, Benjamin's son, lived, to evoke American independence.
Interview with Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis for “Alone in the World” in 2001
If several families succeed one another in this home, Here focuses on the one formed by Al (Paul Bettany) and Rose (Kelly Reilly) and their son Richard (Tom Hanks) and his wife (Robin Wright). Where, throughout the vignettes, the actors are either aged or rejuvenated thanks to artificial intelligence. A feeling of falsity emerges, which reinforces the total artificiality of the film.
Decorative and gnangnan
Based largely on the work of its decoration team, who furnished this unique decor over the years, Here functions by accumulation of signifiers. In this average living room, we find the fireplace, the Christmas tree, the Thanksgiving table, the radio (from which world news emanates), replaced by the TV…
“The Walk” by Robert Zemeckis: a reconstruction that will make you shiver with fear and hold on to your seat
We always stay in the decorative. While Zemeckis plays the violins (notably via Alan Silvestri's syrupy soundtrack) to tell the story of the little joys and disillusionments of these American families. But without ever managing to provoke the slightest emotion (other than easy nostalgia), nor even the slightest reflection…
Here/Here: The most beautiful years of our lives Drama Of Robert Zemeckis Scenario Eric Roth and Robert Zemeckis (based on the comic strip Ici de Richard McGuire) Photography Don Burgess Musique Alan Silvestri Montage Jesse Goldsmith With Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly, Michelle Dockery… Duration 1h44
