"Hereafter" Movie Trailer Review

"Hereafter"

Movie Trailer Review

By our guest blogger, Rob Stammitti

Clint Eastwood, one of the more bafflingly prolific American directors considering how long he's been in the business, continues his streak of generally undefinable drama work with "Hereafter," a drama looking to be equal parts "Sixth Sense" and romance (Eastwood himself labelling it a chick flick).

As per usual, you wouldn't guess it's Eastwood at the helm judging by the trailer itself. The film's plot, consisting of three separate stories ultimately intertwining at the climax, involves a retired and troubled psychic played by Matt Damon. He used to be famous for his abilities, primarily those involving his speaking to the dead, but he has since isolated himself from society and he cuts himself off from his former career. It's not entirely clear, but eventually the lives of several other troubled people disrupt his lonely existence, and he's forced to decide whether to remain alone or return to the life he left behind.

This softer stuff isn't completely new for Eastwood--he's tackled more romantic territory with "The Bridges of Madison County," among others--but even compared to something like that, this seems pretty tame. That said, imagery involving a massive tsunami is pretty intriguing, and it's hard to go wrong with Damon. The big question is whether or not this will be strong drama from Eastwood like "Mystic River" or more melodramatic fluff like bits of "Changeling" or "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

Already it doesn't look like it'll mark another return to the Oscars, but at the very least, "Hereafter" could be something new for the director, which, so late in his career, is fascinating enough as it is.

"Hereafter" comes to theaters October 22, 2010. Trailer is below. Thoughts?