What Dreams May Come

UPC: 025192267826

Studio: Universal Studios

MPAA Rating: PG13   Contains:[Mild Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Profanity]

Summary: Based on a metaphysical 1978 novel by science fiction and horror author Richard Matheson, this romantic fantasy-drama won an Oscar for its expensive and impressive visual vistas depicting an imaginative afterlife. Robin Williams stars as Chris Nielsen, a doctor who has suffered with his artist wife Annie (Annabella Sciorra) through the devastating loss of their children, Marie and Ian, who were killed in a car accident. Although Annie's all-consuming depression nearly destroyed their marriage, the couple rebuilt their relationship and are now living out a comfortable middle age. Stopping one night to help a motorist in a wreck, Chris is struck by a car and killed. At first confused about where he is, Chris meets Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a spiritual guide who helps him to realize he's passed away and that he must move on to the next world. After trying with only limited success to communicate with the devastated Annie, Chris moves on and discovers an afterlife that can become whatever one envisions, where even his pet dog awaits him. What Chris envisions as paradise are the paintings of his wife, and he happily takes up residence there, awaiting the far-off day when Annie will eventually join him. He also meets his children, although they have chosen different appearances than the ones they had in life. Then tragedy strikes when Annie, inconsolable, commits suicide and goes to Hell. Although it is rarely done, Chris insists on traveling there, risking his eternal soul to save the woman he loves. Accompanied part of the way by Albert and a wizened guide called The Tracker (Max von Sydow), Chris finally reaches Annie in Hell, and must convince her of the truth in order to release her from her dark prison. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Category: Fantasy

Awards: Best Art Direction – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Art Direction – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Features: ccDual interactive menu screens
Director's commentary
About the visual effects
Making-of featurette
Alternate ending
Photo gallery
Cast & crew
Biographies and filmographies
Production information
Theatrical trailers
DVD-ROM features include Windows 95/98 wallpaper and Macintosh destop images

What Dreams May Come

Format: DVD

Release Date: 03/04/2003

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cinemascope

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1, DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 114 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Subtitles: French,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
1. Love at First Sight
2. Shattered Dreams
3. Working Together
4. Angry With Death
5. I Still Exist
6. Painting Your Own Surroundings
7. Soul Mates
8. Finding an Old Friend
9. Annie's Conclusion
10. The Tracker
11. The Road to Hell
12. The Truth About Albert
13. Angel Falls
14. Who We Really Are to Each Other
15. Annie's Nightmare
16. Double D
17. Sometimes When You Lose, You Win
18. A Second Chance
19. Closing Credits

Keith Phipps

The Vincent Ward-directed What Dreams May Come had the misfortune of arriving just as public tolerance for Robin Williams in sentimental roles was waning dramatically. Though the much-seen Patch Adams was still to come,Dreams doubtlessly suffered from the rejection of those already burned by Fathers' Day, Jack, and their ilk -- which is too bad. Though the film treads the dangerous line between spirituality and kitsch, its deeply imaginative vision of the afterlife is both memorable -- especially the production design -- and moving. In many ways, it's a triumph of low expectations. Williams, Sciorra, and Gooding all turn in affecting performances. Similarly, screenwriter Ronald Bass may seem like the wrong person to tame the New Age qualities of Richard Matheson's story but, like the work of Krystof Kieslowski (if not quite in the same league) and the film The Sixth Sense, Ward proves that bad metaphysics can be converted into highly effective metaphors. Though not without its excesses, any film that can get away with scenes of a despondent Williams wandering paradise with his beloved pooch demonstrates an admirable ability to succeed on its own unique terms. Look fast for Werner Herzog as one of Hell's lost souls. ~ Keith Phipps, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Ronald Bass  Executive Producer 
Ronald Bass  Screenwriter 
Ted Field  Executive Producer 
Michael Kamen  Composer (Music Score) 
Scott Kroopf  Executive Producer 
Vincent Ward  Director 
Erica Huggins  Executive Producer 
Barnet Bain  Producer 
Stephen Simon  Producer 
Robin Williams  Actor 
Cuba Gooding, Jr.  Actor 
Annabella Sciorra  Actor 
Max von Sydow  Actor 
Jessica Brooks Grant  Actor 
Josh Paddock  Actor 
Rosalind Chao  Actor 

Country: USA