Hereafter

Although death is by no means the cheeriest of topics, Hereafter does an excellent job of exploring it and leaving us with a thought-provoking film. Not only is it philosophical, but it is also emotive and engaging as it focuses on the lives of three individuals who have all been touched by death in different ways.

George Lonegan (Damon), from San Francisco, has been able to hear and see the dead since he was young and has recently given up his previous profession as a psychic. With his brother (Mohr) pressuring him to use his 'gift' to help others, he yearns to start a normal life and hide from his ability. French journalist Marie Lelay (de France) suffers a near-death experience and takes time off work to recover but finds herself researching the question of the hereafter. Twelve-year old Jason (McClaren), from London, loses a close family member and is placed in care. Unable to let go of the past, he desperately seeks a way to speak to their spirit but finds all his 'psychics' to be fraudulent.

The cast may be small but this allows director Eastwood (Gran Turino, Invictus) to explore and develop his characters at great length. The actors are convincing and the audience will no doubt grow attached to them, particularly young up-and-coming McClaren and, as usual, Damon. Hereafter is thought-provoking but engaging in every sense of the word and is an excellent example of Eastwood's talent as a director.

Sophie Carroll