Here, a film by Robert Zemeckis (Review)

“Here” fulfills all the characteristics of its director Robert Zemeckis. It is a film that stands out for its technical and visual prowess, and brings together the protagonists of “Forrest Gump”, Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, in a multiple narrative that unfolds in a single fixed shot, showing the passage of time and life before our eyes.

With crisp images and an impressive handling of the digital format, the film presents a complex visual chess game from the origin of the planet to various moments in the lives of the inhabitants of the visual space offered by the fixed frame.

The narrative jumps back and forth in time, exploring prehistoric times, the lives of the native population, the era of Benjamin Franklin, and the stories of different couples and families living in the same house on the same street.

Hanks and Wright are joined by the talented Paul Bettany, who plays Al, Richard's father and patriarch of the family throughout most of the story.

Everything in “Here” is neat and tidy; the messages are clear and uplifting, so much so that, by the second act, one already senses there will be no surprises.

It lacks edge, narrative risk and dramatic tension. Although

“Here” has grand ambitions, it lacks the vision of a filmmaker who has something more to contribute, without remaining in the superficiality of a sympathetic original idea.

Also, “Here” was made too soon: facial rejuvenation technology still needs about five years to look less artificial and plastic.

The familiar faces of Hanks and Wright, at times, look suspiciously fake. Are these minor details? Maybe.

The film is visually appealing and moving, but, as I mentioned earlier, it lacks so much that it's riskier to take a nap. This is what some might call “feel-goodism” or a too-good-for-everyone approach.