What Dreams May Come
To sleep: perchance to dream...
For in that sleep of death
what dreams may come...
Must give us pause.
William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act III, Scene I
And death shall have no dominion.
Dylan Thomas
For those who believe in eternal love, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not, no explanation is possible.
For Chris Nielsen (Robin Williams), his love for his wife Annie (Annabella Sciorra) defines the core of his being and completes his very soul. When they met, they were conjoined as soul mates in a divine love to exist no longer as two, but as one. If Destiny decrees that Chris must journey to the very depths of Hell to be with her, then he will... and he does!
A love so powerful it defies the bounds of heaven and earth leads Robin Williams on a remarkable, visually dazzling adventure unlike any ever seen before on film in What Dreams May Come. The exuberant, abundantly talented Robin Williams heads an outstanding cast that also includes Cuba Gooding, Jr., Annabella Sciorra and Max Von Sydow in this epic romantic drama, a PolyGram Films release from Interscope Communications and Metafilmics. Directed by Vincent Ward, the film was written by Academy Award winner Ron Bass (Rainman) from the novel by fantasist Richard Matheson (Somewhere in Time, Incredible Shrinking Man). Stephen Simon and Barnet Bain were the producers. Ted Field, Scott Kroopf, Erica Huggins and Ron Bass were executive producers. Alan Blomquist was the co-producer.
Director Vincent Ward assembled a distinguished production team to create both the known world and its imagined counterparts in What Dreams May Come. In addition to production designer Eugenio Zanetti (Academy Award winner for Restoration) and cinematographer Eduardo Serra (Wings of the Dove), the team also included costume designer Yvonne Blake (Academy Award winner for Nicholas and Alexandra), composer Michael Kamen (Mr. Holland's Opus) and editors David Brenner (Independence Day, Academy Award winner for Born on the Fourth of July) and Maysie Hoy (Joy Luck Club).
Vincent Ward to capture the movie's universe and define its innovative, sweeping style. Ellen M. Somers supervised the team of visual effects wizards, which included Academy Award winner Joel Hynek and Nicholas Brooks, among many others.
After his untimely death, Chris' memory of loving and being loved creates a personal prism through which he transcends earthly life and experiences a world bound only by his imagination. His transition into this visually breathtaking place is puzzling at first, but soon abates when his afterlife guide Albert (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) tells him, "You didn't disappear, Chris, you just died!"
In this alternative realm, Chris delights in the knowledge that Heaven for him is existing within one of Annie's magnificent paintings. He rejoices in the awe and majesty of this Painted World, replete with the memories and romantic dreams he once shared with her. Yet even in this paradise, Chris feels unfulfilled without his wife, Annie. And on earth she is not whole without him. The creative vitality that is so penetrating in Chris' world paradoxically confines Annie in dark disillusionment.
When Chris is told that Annie can never join him in his Heaven, he vows to find her. Guided by a sage Tracker (Max Von Sydow) and his unconditional love for Annie, he embarks on an epic odyssey through a tapestry of timeless illusions to try to free her from the endless torments of Hell.
What Dreams May Come is a courageous exploration of worlds heretofore only imagined, the inspired collaboration of its visionary director, acclaimed novelist, distinguished screenwriter and award winning cast. It is a singular, stunning and ambitious depiction of the afterlife, combining elements of fantasy, drama and spectacle. As Robin Williams says, "Not a lot of movies are made about heaven and hell. Not a lot of movies use art as a metaphor. What's a ‘meta' for, anyway?" he laughs. "I'm fascinated by the idea of using computer technology to create something other than an explosion or a raptor."
The information and photographs concerning the film What Dreams May Come has been kindly provided by PolyGram Films.