Hearts in Atlantis 2001

In this thought-provoking drama, a charismatic outsider (Anthony Hopkins) forms an unlikely bond with a perceptive youth (Anton Yelchin), altering the boy's perception of reality and setting in motion a series of life-altering consequences. As their connection deepens, secrets are revealed and the fabric of truth begins to unravel.

In this thought-provoking drama, a charismatic outsider (Anthony Hopkins) forms an unlikely bond with a perceptive youth (Anton Yelchin), altering the boy's perception of reality and setting in motion a series of life-altering consequences. As their connection deepens, secrets are revealed and the fabric of truth begins to unravel.

Does Hearts in Atlantis have end credit scenes?

No!

Hearts in Atlantis does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Hearts in Atlantis

Explore the complete cast of Hearts in Atlantis, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Hearts in Atlantis

See how Hearts in Atlantis is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Hearts in Atlantis stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

55

Metascore

7.7

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

49%

TOMATOMETER

review

64%

User Score

IMDb

6.9 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

67

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Hearts in Atlantis Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Hearts in Atlantis with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Hearts in Atlantis Quiz: Test your knowledge about the movie 'Hearts in Atlantis' and its poignant exploration of childhood and friendship.

What is the main reason for Bobby Garfield's return to his hometown?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Hearts in Atlantis

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Read the complete plot summary of Hearts in Atlantis, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Middle-aged photographer and businessman Robert “Bobby” Garfield finds himself back in his childhood hometown after the tragic news of his best friend, decorated soldier John “Sully” Sullivan, who lost his life in a car accident. As he revisits an abandoned house he once called home, memories of a poignant past flood back to him, including the loss of another dear friend, Carol.

Transported to the summer of the 1960s, young Bobby is living with his self-absorbed mother, Liz Garfield, a bitter woman consumed by her own vanity. Alongside his two close companions, Carol Gerbe and Sully, Bobby experiences the innocence and complexities of childhood. Among the many adventures they share, one of the most mysterious is their encounter with an enigmatic older man named Ted Brautigan, whom Liz reluctantly agrees to take in as a boarder due to financial necessity, despite her innate distrust towards him.

Bobby and Liz’s relationship struggles as she engages in an affair with her boss, Don Biderman. Meanwhile, Carol and Bobby develop a tender bond, highlighted by a kiss they share that becomes a benchmark for all future encounters in love. Ted, sensing Bobby’s loneliness while his mother is preoccupied, takes the young boy under his care. The two cultivate a unique father-son bond, revealing Ted’s extraordinary psychic and telekinetic abilities.

As their relationship deepens, Ted devises a plan to help Bobby with the desire for a bicycle, offering him a dollar a week to read the newspaper aloud. However, it soon becomes apparent that Ted possesses more significant intentions, confiding in Bobby that he is on the run from the mysterious “Low Men,” who relentlessly seek to regain their hold over him.

Describing his escape, Ted recants tales that connect him to Bobby’s father, encapsulating a moment at a crucial football game where an aging hero defied the odds to lead his team to victory. Mysteriously, he urges Bobby to be vigilant for any signs indicating the presence of the “Low Men,” including reports about missing pets, emphasizing his intuition that the boy shares a similar gift for mind-reading.

As Bobby attends a carnival, he astonishes himself by successfully playing card games that hinge on his newfound gift. Despite witnessing the “Low Men” lurking about, he hesitates to tell Ted, fearing he might scare away his only ally. Together with Carol and Sully, Bobby finds solace amidst neighborhood tensions, even confronting the local bully, Harry Doolin. In a courageous moment, Ted confronts Harry by seeing through his hidden fears, which reveal the bully’s true, vulnerable self.

When Liz leaves Bobby in Ted’s care for a weekend, a close encounter with the “Low Men” ensues, prompting Ted to advise Bobby to lean on happy memories to disorient their pursuers. As Ted prepares to leave town, tragedy strikes when Harry harms Carol, forcing Ted to intervene. However, by the time Liz returns — traumatized from her previous ordeal — she misjudges Ted as a threat, leading to a dramatic confrontation where Ted reveals the truth about Liz’s own life and how it impacts her relationship with Bobby.

Ultimately, Ted is captured after Liz unknowingly tips off the “Low Men.” As he is driven away, Ted passionately assures Bobby that he has cherished every moment spent together, a sentiment that Bobby echoes later. Following a violent encounter with Harry, Bobby’s life takes another turn as Liz opts for a new beginning in Boston.

Years later, as Bobby stands before his childhood home, he encounters a young girl named Molly, who introduces herself as Carol’s daughter. Through a heartfelt conversation, the legacy of friendship and loss emerges, culminating in a poignant moment when Bobby gifts her a cherished photograph of Carol, kindling a new connection and friendship.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Hearts in Atlantis

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Hearts in Atlantis. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Hearts in Atlantis - Trailer

Cars Featured in Hearts in Atlantis

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Explore all cars featured in Hearts in Atlantis, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Cadillac

1946

Series 62

Chevrolet

1956

Bel Air

Chevrolet

1959

Impala

Dodge

1957

Royal Lancer

Edsel

1959

Ranger

Ford

1963

Falcon

Mercedes-Benz

1999

ML 320 W163

Mercury

1959

Monterey

Packard

1958

Station Wagon

Rambler

1961

Classic

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


based on novellafather figure1960schildhood sweetheartchildhood memoryfriendshipmysterious strangerpsychicbullywatching tvfriendculturereal estate agentboy rides a bicyclegirl's birthday partyboy girl relationshipreference to bronko nagurskiheroic rescuesupernatural powerboarding housefuneralsingle motherimplied rapecrying womanmaturityvietnam warreference to richard nixonanti warchaseescapecartoon on tv20th centurybaseball bat used as a weaponsports betravineriding a ferris wheeltold in flashbackgamblersecretarywoman's dressmother son estrangementtip to policefbi agentreference to vietnam warwoman with a black eyemoving awayformer sweetheartmeeting the daughterphotographstranger

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