Here

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Here follows the various inhabitants of an American home, including Tom Hanks’ Richard, Robin Wright’s Margaret, and Paul Bettany’s Al, as they go about their lives over the course of several decades (and even centuries). Filmmaker Zemeckis, armed with his and Eric Roth’s screenplay, delivers an impressively ambitious endeavor that unfolds entirely from a single, unmoving perspective within the aforementioned home, with this audacious choice, at the outset, preventing the movie from packing the engrossing, captivating punch one might’ve anticipated. There’s a lack of forward momentum that proves impossible to overlook within the picture’s early stages, although it’s clear that the consistently-watchable atmosphere is due to a smattering of enthralling set-pieces and several first-class performances – with, in terms of the latter, Hanks and Wright’s predictably commanding efforts going a long way towards perpetuating the agreeable vibe. (It’s worth noting, too, that the digital de-aging effects are much more seamless and believable than usual.) Here‘s transformation from decent to spellbinding, then, is triggered by a second half that focuses in on a few core characters and does, as a result, become progressively engaging and enthralling, and there’s little doubt that the picture’s final stretch is subsequently far more emotionally devastating than expected – which ultimately confirms the film’s place as a truly singular piece of work and one of Zemeckis’ finest efforts in years.

***1/2 out of ****