“Here” is nowhere.
I am said to report that Robert Zemeckis’s film that arrives on Thursday in previews looks headed for disaster.
So far, it has a 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright has been advertised heavily but is not on anyone’s list of movies to see this weekend.
Miramax (the new one, not the old one) has issued ads that make “Here” look like a “Forrest Gump” reunion or reboot. It’s not. It’s based on a graphic novel and takes place over many years shot just in one room, from one point of view. Hanks and Wright are aged via the same process that was used by Martin Scorsese for “The Irishman.”
Only 17 reviewers have posed to Rotten Tomatoes, but they are mostly in accord. They don’t like it. It’s hard to say how many more reviews will be posted before preview screenings begin on Thursday. But the numbers will not improve much.
According to some reports, “Here” only cost around $50 million, so the exposure won’t be terrible. Zemeckis, who has made some brilliant films, obviously tried something here with technology that didn’t work out. But look at his resume: “Forrest Gump,” three “Back to the Future” movies, “Flight,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” “Romancing the Stone,” “Contact,” “Cast Away.” His place in film history is secure.
At least we’re guaranteed there won’t be sequels to “Here” called “There” and “Everywhere.” That’s some consolation.
