Distinctly Montana Magazine

83 w w w. d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m named Annie, when they are both young. They mar- ry and make a happy life to- gether, only for their idyll to be shattered when their two children die in a car ac- cident. Four years after this loss, Chris is himself killed by an automobile. He finds himself in the afterlife, which for him is molded from Annie's paintings and art they both loved; he is comforted by the presence of Katie, the family dog, and guided by Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.), who assures him that he will see his children when he's ready to. Un- fortunately, Annie, grief-stricken and hopeless, commits suicide and ends up in Hell. Chris determines to reunite with her, even though he has been told that no suicide has ever been rescued from damnation before. Will the power of true love be able to prevail against vast cosmic order? What Dreams May Come is one of the only films to be shot on Fuji Velvia stock. Fuji Velvia is typically used for still landscape photography, and is noted for its ability to produce vivid colors. The Heaven scenes call for a palette of rainbow colors—the land- scape is made out of literal paints when Chris first arrives in it— and it makes for a nearly phantasmagorical viewing experience. Even as the afterlife takes more solid shape, the painterly quali- ties of the film's visuals reign supreme. The film could be said to belong to cinematographer Eduardo Serra and the visual effects team (Nicholas Brooks, Joel Hynek, Kevin Mack, and Stuart Rob- ertson) as much as to director Simon Ward. Indeed, the film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, as well as a nomina- tion for Art Direction. Classic art fans will be able to spot an abun- dance of influences and references, from Van Gogh and assorted French Impressionists and John Martin in the Heaven section, to Bosch and Arnold Bochlin when the action shifts to Hell. Glacier National Park was used to film a few scenes for both settings; its waterfalls and vertiginous mountains provide a taste of real-life grandeur to help anchor the surreal visual opulence of the rest of the film. Robin Williams provides a similar function. We're a local Helena , Montana , florist with a lovely variety of fresh flowers and creative gift ideas to suit any style or budget. 2620 North Sanders Street • Helena, MT 59601 (406) 442-7969 • Thefloralcottage.net The Floral Cottage Thank You For Voting Us Best Florist In Montana !

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