Clint Eastwood directs Hereafter in his usual gentle and understated style. While the result is not the unqualified success of some of his other work, Hereafter has some lovely moments.

French television reporter Marie (Cécile De France) has a near death experience in a tsunami that leaves her reevaluating her career and romantic life. George Lonegan (Matt Damon) can communicate with the dead, but he considers it a curse, not a gift. He has abandoned his career as a professional medium and works in a factory in San Francisco, although his services are still in demand. Twins Marcus and Jason (Frankie McLaren and George McLaren) have a difficult life in England living with their drug addicted mother, but the death of a family member irrevocably changes the family. “What happens when we die?” is the question all of the central characters in this film ask. In fact, some of them even Google it. Marie, George and Marcus are connected, even before they realize it.

In lesser hands, this story might be heavy handed and mawkish. But Eastwood’s deft direction of Peter Morgan’s (Frost/Nixon, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Queen) screenplay concentrates on those small moments that make up a life. In fact, the best moments in this film have little to do with the afterlife. Eastwood makes this story about the characters and their struggles, and makes us care about these people. The scenes of George in his cooking class are oddly compelling, as are his relationships with his brother Billy (Jay Mohr) and classmate Melanie (Bryce Dallas Howard). I wanted more of these scenes. Equally interesting are the scenes of Marie at her Paris television show, and Marcus and Jason in England. Credit goes to Eastwood and Morgan for some great scenes of fake psychics preying on the grief stricken. They add a nice balance to the film. In fact, the scenes of George communicating with those in the hereafter are quiet and low key. However, the opening scene of the tsunami features heart pounding effects and immediately draws you into the film.

Eastwood gets terrific, natural performances from youngsters Frankie and George McLaren. Their big sad eyes are irresistible and these children show real promise. Bryce Dallas Howard makes the most of the small part of Melanie, and I wanted to see more of her. Marie LeLay is a refreshing change from the usual Hollywood female lead and infuses her scenes (in both English and French) with charisma and intelligence. Matt Damon gives a restrained performance as George, the likable medium. Eastwood and Damon do a good job of making George seem like a regular guy who uses his gift reluctantly.

While the afterlife story has been done before, it is the way Eastwood tells it that is Hereafter‘s strength. Each individual scene is involving and the nuances of each character help invest us in their fates. While the ending of Hereafter is a bit contrived, the film still worked for me. It may not be Eastwood’s most powerful film, but it is both diverting and affecting.

Hereafter. Directed by Clint Eastwood. Cécile De France (Marie LeLay), Thierry Neuvic (Didier), Jay Mohr (Billy), Richard Kind (Christos), Matt Damon (George Lonegan), Frankie McLaren (Marcus / Jason), George McLaren (Marcus / Jason), Steve Schirripa (Cooking Teacher)and Bryce Dallas Howard (Melanie) Warner Bros. Pictures, 2010.

Gail sees a movie appears every Wednesday.

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