What Dreams May Come (1998)

Chris Nielsen dies in car crash one night, and then goes to Heaven. Later, his widow Annie commits suicide, unable to overcome her loss. Chris descends into Hell to save her.

Director:

Vincent Ward

Writers:

Richard Matheson (novel), Ronald Bass (screenplay) (as Ron Bass)

Stars:

Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., Annabella Sciorra

Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

During a holidays in Switzerland, a young Chris Nielsen meets by chance Annie Collins in a lake when their boats slightly collide. Sharing a snack when they meet a few hours later, Chris and Annie fall in love each other. Marrying quickly, Chris works as pediatrician and Annie as artist painter and art dealer, and they turn in parents of two children, older Ian and elder Marie. But their happy family life torn apart when being Ian and Marie teenagers, a car accident kills both and the nanny who was driving the van where they were. Four years later, Chris and Annie try to restore their life despite the tragedy and celebrate their anniversary when while he returns to home in his car after to end his daily work, Chris witnesses a car accident in a tunnel during a rainy night. Exiting of the car in an attempt to help people, another car crashes against him, hurting severally. Dying in the hospital, Chris turns in a ghost around his house and his recently widowed Annie, trying tell her ...

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Plot Keywords:

heaven | soul mate | afterlife | reference to william shakespeare | reference to shakespeare's hamlet | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements involving death, some disturbing images and language

Details

Country:

USA New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 October 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Más allá de los sueños

Filming Locations:

Ross, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$85,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,833,592, 4 October 1998, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$55,485,043

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$71,485,043

Company Credits

Production Co:

Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Interscope Communications, Metafilmics

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Hell" scenes were shot on the decrepit, rusted hulk of the Essex class aircraft carrier U.S.S. Oriskany (CV-34). The ship was later sunk to make room for an artificial reef on May 17, 2006. The "Hell" scenes were shot at the Alameda Naval Air Station in an indoor swimming pool surrounded by blue screen so that the visual effects could be later added in. Extras spent two twelve-hour days in the water as ghouls.

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Goofs

As the supposedly invisible Chris walks down the aisle of his own funeral, one of the extras can be seen watching him.

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Quotes

Chris Nielsen: Where is God in all of this?
Albert: Oh, He's up there. Somewhere... shouting down that He loves us. Wondering why we can't hear Him. You think?

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Crazy Credits

Disclaimer after the end credits: "The persons and events in this production are fictitious. No similarity to actual persons, living, dead or reincarnated is intended or should be inferred."

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Alternate Versions

The DVD gives an alternative ending in which the kids (Ian & Marie) come to see Annie and Chris. They ask her if she wants to see them as Chris saw them. She says yes and they become Albert and Leona. They ask if she wants them to stay as they are or go back to being the kids. She says she knows who they are and should stay the same. Then Annie says she has to leave. This is the crucial point that wasn't in the original because Leona says those who commit suicide have to go back and be reincarnated. Chris says he wants to go back and Albert responds we figured that, a couple of star crossed lovers. He then says that Chris will meet Annie in Sri Lanka where Annie will die in his arms and he will die 40 years after that. Then there is a montage of Annie and Chris being born ending with side by side pictures of two new born babies.

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Connections

Referenced in Animation Lookback: The Best of Stop Motion - Ray Harryhausen 1/2 (2014)

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Soundtracks

Chris & Annie's Theme
Based on variations of "Beside You"
Composed by Mark Snow (as Martin Fulterman) and Michael Kamen

User Reviews

Major tear-jerker

It's been a while since I last saw this one, but I will always remember this as one of the saddest movies I ever saw, in a good way of course!

There are hardly any cheerful tones throughout the movie, so it is not for people who like soppy stories. But the effects are amazing and the vision of heaven is very original. Robin Williams is, as always, very good at performing. This was the first serious movie I saw featuring Williams, and I was amazed. I had thought Williams would be the type who could only act decently in comedies, but this one proved me wrong. He can put down a serious character with all ease not only that, he can truly touch you with his oh so tear-jerking lines.

My conclusion: if you are planning on watching this movie, keep your tissues at hand, and some food and drinks as well since the movie isn't exactly what you call short.