Hearts in Atlantis

In this adaptation of Stephen King's best-seller, a young boy with a neglectful mom latches on to an enigmatic man (benevolently charming Anthony Hopkins) renting the upstairs apartment of his house, fascinated by the boarder's surreptitious tales of being hunted by dark strangers who "want me back under their control." Slowly and subtly, employing the film's nebulous ambience to maximum effect, director Scott Hicks (Shine, Snow Falling on Cedars) begins to reveal Hopkins' secret: potent and transmissible psychic powers that become part of his bond with the boy and the dangerous situation they will soon share. Unfortunately, this engrossingly eerie and mysterious story is offset by a golden-toned and excessively idyllic subplot of reminiscent, 1960s kiddie-style first love. Still, the film often rises above its clichés thanks to the performances of Hopkins, Anton Yelchin as the boy, and the extraordinary Mika Boorem (Along Came a Spider, The Patriot) as the girl he never forgot. A strong optional purchase. (R. Blackwelder)