IMDb > The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
The Sweet Hereafter
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The Sweet Hereafter (1997) More at IMDbPro »

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The Sweet Hereafter (1997) -- post
The Sweet Hereafter (1997) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   15,420 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Russell Banks (novel)
Atom Egoyan (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Sweet Hereafter on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 November 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
There is no such thing as the simple truth.
Plot:
This film documents the effects of a tragic bus accident on the population of a small town. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 29 wins & 20 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(28 articles)
This Week In DVD: October 13th
 (From FilmSchoolRejects. 13 October 2009, 11:56 AM, PDT)

Tiff Picks 09: Atom Egoyan's Chloe
 (From ioncinema. 7 September 2009)

User Comments:
Exceptional more (174 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
De beaux lendemains (Canada: French title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for sexuality and some language.
Runtime:
112 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
As indicated on Atom Egoyan's commentary track on the DVD, many people ask about the odd mask worn by the note-taker during the deposition scene. This is a Stenographer's Mask, an item which is used in real-life for the stenographer to record her own voice during the deposition. more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Stephens visits the Ottos, and Mr. Otto offers him some tea, we hear a teakettle whistling but the one we see on the cooker is not the whistling type. more
Quotes:
Mitchell Stephens: Something's happening that's taking our children away. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Making of 'Ararat' (2003) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Courage more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
11 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
Exceptional, 12 February 2000
9/10
Author: crashnburn1984

There aren't many films that unfold with a true grace, like a bird spreading it's wings in a beautifully restrained manner. "The Sweet Hereafter" is one of them, it is an engrossing film that doesn't rely on emotional manipulation to effect it's viewer, it tells a tale like it is, and in the end, that is exactly what makes it so good. The film studies a small Canadian town in the face of tragedy, and carefully layers a series of intertwining stories involving a handful of locals who have all been impacted by the occurence. Every character seems to have a normal life at first, but as the film progresses, it becomes clear that they do not. They are emotionally void people who all harbour secrets and lies, and as much as they want to believe what they're doing is right, deep down they know it's not. Intense emotions of guilt and grief run through them, but for unusual reasons. "The Sweet Hereafter" examines the things that surface after the wake of a tragedy, after the eminent shock and sorrow, how people's lives become so deteriorated and barren. The film skillfully uses different perspectives, places and time to explore the span of everything involved, asking why some things in the universe are out of our control, and if they happen for a reason. I was impressed with the film's meticulous structure, every frame is measured delicately to maximise it's power, and it works 100 percent of the time. From stark to striking, it's visuals work just as well as it's intellect. Ok, so Russell Bank's novel is a bit clearer, but Atom Egoyan's take on it is just as effective, if not more. Another thing that makes this film shine are it's performances, Sarah Polley and Ian Holme are both superb, both exude with a gentle sadness that genuinely convinces. In all, "The Sweet Hereafter" is a film that needs to be seen, it is a beautifully realised and haunting film that's virtually impossible to forget.

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Male V. Female: Who Got it? anti5er
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