An anticipatory reawakening of cinematic nostalgia has emerged with the film Here, a fresh collaboration featuring the esteemed talents of Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and the visionary director Robert Zemeckis. However, rather than met with the warm embrace of acclaim, this latest endeavor faces an onslaught of critical negativity—an almost jarring response.
Once celebrated for their synergistic magic in the iconic Forrest Gump, this trio now finds themselves navigating turbulent waters. The film’s logline promises a journey through the intricate tapestries of familial connections, encapsulating timeless human experiences across generations. But has the execution failed to deliver the emotional gravity that audiences were hoping for?
Rated PG-13, Here kicks off its previews this Thursday, with a full theatrical rollout set for Friday. Yet, as pundits weigh in, early critical feedback is decidedly lukewarm at best. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film has garnered a dismal 33% “rotten” rating from critics based on a sampling of 24 reviews—an unflattering start.
Among the dissenters is Odie Henderson from the Boston Globe, who paints a scathing review: “Combine broad acting with a cliché-ridden screenplay and a fixed-frame format, and you’re left with Here, which feels more like a poorly executed sitcom or a misguided school play trying to tackle the hefty themes of Eugene O’Neill or Death of a Salesman.”
Similarly, Peter Debruge of Variety critiques the film’s static point of view, arguing that if Zemeckis had chosen a different medium—perhaps a museum installation—this artistic choice might have resonated more profoundly. He laments the lack of emotional engagement that today’s audiences expect. David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter echoes these sentiments, noting the film’s fixation with visual technology often overshadows its emotional core. Meanwhile, William Bibbiani from The Wrap acknowledges the film’s ambitious premise but derides the execution as lacking the sophistication expected from such talent.
In a sea of negativity, however, pockets of hope emerge. Kristy Puchko from Mashable acknowledges the film’s shortcomings but expresses admiration for Zemeckis’s ambition, stating, “While Here represents an experiment in concept and framing that ultimately fails, it’s difficult not to admire Zemeckis’s clear passion and sentimentality.”
Ryan Lattanzio from IndieWire provides a glimmer of optimism, suggesting that despite its polarized reception, viewers with a curious heart for the past may find resonance in its narrative. Meanwhile, Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood Daily delivers a refreshing perspective, awarding the film a “fresh” review and appreciating how Zemeckis and co-writer Eric Roth maintain visual intrigue even within a static framework.
Co-starring talents such as Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly, and Michelle Dockery, Here endeavors to carve out its own space in the cinematic landscape, though the road ahead appears fraught with uncertainty. As it readies for release, audiences will need to navigate their own expectations amid a whirlwind of mixed reviews. The ultimate question lingers: Will Here transcend the critiques to find its own heartbeat among viewers, or will it remain shackled to the weight of its overblown ambitions?
