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What Dreams May Come
By Nell Minow,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Lush drama is emotionally intense; some scary imagery.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
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What Dreams May Come
Community Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
So many holes in the plot.
A visual and emotional work of art
What's the Story?
Robin Williams plays Chris Nielson, a doctor who arrives in heaven after he is killed by a car as he attempts to help the victims of an accident. His wife, Annie (Anabella Sciorra), already devastated by the loss of their two children four years earlier, begins to fall apart, and commits suicide. As Chris explores heaven, he realizes that it cannot be heaven for him without her. But, as a suicide, she is consigned to hell. With the help of a guide, he embarks on an Orpheus-like journey.
Is It Any Good?
The lush visual beauty of this movie and the interesting issues it raises make it worthwhile for thoughtful teens who are drawn to questions about death and meaning and making profound connections. Those who have endured their own real losses may find it superficial, and some may be disturbed to find the concepts of heaven and hell inconsistent with their own notions. They are not even consistent within their own assumptions. But some teens will appreciate the chance to use this movie to talk about what their heaven would look like and how the characters' struggle makes them think differently about their relationships and priorities.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Chris' relationships with his children, and how he thinks about what he should have done differently after their death. Teens may also like to learn about the myth of Orpheus, to see the similarities and differences.
This movie was based on a 1978 novel by Richard Matheson, who also wrote many of the classic episodes of The Twilight Zone. The movie is different in many ways from the novel, including setting, the relationships between characters, as well as evocations of the afterlife. What would be the challenges in adapting a novel into a movie? Why do you think movies based on books often take liberties with the story, the characters, and even, at times, the endings?
The afterlife has been a topic that has fascinated artists for thousands of years. How does this movie draw on prior evocations of heaven and hell in art and literature to evoke its own interpretations of the two?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 2, 1998
- On DVD or streaming: March 4, 2003
- Cast: Annabella Sciorra , Cuba Gooding Jr. , Robin Williams
- Director: Vincent Ward
- Inclusion Information: Black actors
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Book Characters
- Run time: 113 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: thematic elements involving death, some disturbing images and language
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
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