Table of Contents
In Robert Zemeckis’ latest cinematic venture, ‘Here’ (2024), audiences are taken on a bold journey through time, space, and memory— all within the confines of a single room. Featuring Tom Hanks in a deeply committed performance, the film combines non-linear storytelling and cutting-edge technology, courtesy of MetaPhysic Live’s real-time AI face-swapping and de-aging tools. Yet despite the artful ambition and groundbreaking production techniques, the film struggled to connect with a wider audience, leaving many investors wary from the beginning. With experimental elements aplenty, ‘Here’ ultimately stands as a unique but financially risky piece of art, marking it as an untraditional Zemeckis–Hanks collaboration that didn’t quite land as hoped.
Things to do:
- Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here.
- Limited Time Offer – FREE Subscription to The Hollywood Insider
- Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment, against gossip and scandal, by combining entertainment, education, and philanthropy.
Tom Hanks Shines in an Unconventional Role
From the moment Hanks steps into character, it’s clear he brings gravitas to a role that demands emotional flexibility and dramatic range. Known for his grounded, everyman portrayals, Hanks dives deep to capture the elusive essence of a character who ages backward and forward, appearing at various stages of life across disjointed timelines. As the anchor of the film, his performance is as much a technical feat as an emotional one, skillfully synchronized with MetaPhysic Live’s face-swapping AI technology. This real-time, generative AI tool overlays younger or older versions of Hanks, allowing him to embody the nuances of aging instantly without relying on traditional makeup or post-production effects.
Hanks’ portrayal of a man living the fragments of his life out of sequence is perhaps one of his most challenging roles yet, and it shows in his measured, contemplative performance. His ability to navigate the complexities of such a role, while maintaining emotional coherence, is a testament to his skill and versatility. Yet, for all its artistry, Hanks’ performance alone could not carry the film’s weighty, often challenging narrative to mainstream appeal.
WATCH THE TRAILER of the Film and the Revolution: ‘Can I Go Home Now?’
The Children Around the World Continue to Ask the question
‘Here’: A Story that Transcends Time, but at What Cost?
‘Here’ unfolds in a non-linear storytelling format, a method that immerses viewers in the ebb and flow of memories tied to a single room across decades. The room, an unassuming space, serves as a silent witness to generations of occupants, each leaving behind fragments of their lives in a continuous loop of time. This ambitious narrative choice invites audiences to piece together moments, creating a tapestry of interconnected lives and experiences that transcend temporal boundaries.
However, this artistic decision also proved polarizing. By forgoing a conventional structure, Zemeckis challenged viewers to stay engaged in a story that unfolds in fragments, without a linear narrative to ground them. For some, this structure brought a profound sense of reflection and contemplation, making the film an immersive experience into the passage of time. For others, though, the lack of clear progression made it difficult to invest emotionally in the characters or storyline. The nonlinear format, while innovative, became a double-edged sword, limiting the film’s accessibility to a broader audience more accustomed to traditional narratives.
Related article: – Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
‘Here’: Breaking Technological Ground with MetaPhysic Live
One of the film’s most notable achievements is its innovative use of MetaPhysic Live, a generative AI technology that redefines the possibilities of real-time filmmaking. Instead of relying on time-intensive, costly post-production processes to de-age or alter actors, MetaPhysic Live allows transformations to occur in real-time, capturing facial changes instantaneously as the actors perform. This pioneering technology made it possible for Hanks and other cast members to seamlessly switch between different stages of their characters’ lives, creating a visual fluidity that mirrors the film’s fragmented narrative.
The use of MetaPhysic Live is groundbreaking in a cinematic landscape increasingly influenced by digital effects and AI. In ‘Here,’ this technology becomes an intrinsic part of the storytelling, merging art and technology in a way that aligns with the film’s theme of temporal fluidity. The decision to incorporate AI-generated de-aging, rather than opting for traditional methods, speaks to Zemeckis’ willingness to push boundaries in the name of artistic expression. However, the experimental nature of this approach may also have contributed to the film’s lukewarm reception, as some audience members found the hyper-real visuals jarring and less emotionally resonant than conventional methods.
Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Ryan Gosling Role From 1995 to 2020, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Henry Cavill Role From 2001 to 2021, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
‘Here’: A Financial Gamble that Didn’t Pay Off
From early development, ‘Here’ was a hard sell. Investors were hesitant due to the project’s untested approach, and for good reason. The film’s reliance on non-linear storytelling and emerging AI technology marked it as a high-risk project, one that could easily alienate mainstream audiences. The packaging stage saw several investors back away, uncertain of the film’s commercial viability. As predicted, these challenges continued to haunt the film post-release. Despite the star power of Tom Hanks and the seasoned direction of Robert Zemeckis, ‘Here’ failed to resonate with general audiences, leading to a lackluster box office performance.
The financial underperformance of ‘Here’ reflects a broader trend in Hollywood: the difficulty of marketing experimental art films to a broad audience. While films with complex, cerebral narratives have found success in niche markets, they remain a tough sell on a mass scale, where audiences often seek more accessible, escapist content. ‘Here’ aimed to offer viewers a meditative, introspective experience, yet the very qualities that made it a distinct artistic work also limited its appeal, particularly in an era where audience attention is in constant competition with streaming platforms and blockbuster franchises.
Related article: Understanding the Star Wars Timeline
Related article: A Tribute to Francis Ford Coppola: One of Cinema’s Unforgettable Directors | ‘Megalopolis’, ‘The Godfather’ & More
Related article: #metoo Revolution: Powerful Questions That Need Answers
Related article: FACT-CHECKED Series: Timothee Chalamet and 32 Facts about The Young Superstar
‘Here’: A Bold, Yet Risky Experiment
Ultimately, ‘Here’ may not have won over the masses, but its artistic ambition and technological boldness contribute to the conversation about the future of cinema. By pushing the limits of narrative structure and embracing AI as an artistic tool, Zemeckis and Hanks have created a film that challenges conventional storytelling and visual expectations. It’s a piece of art that may find its audience in time, appreciated more by cinephiles and critics than by mainstream viewers.
In the end, ‘Here’ stands as a testament to the risks that come with innovation in filmmaking. Not every risk will be rewarded financially, and not every experiment will connect with viewers. But films like ‘Here’ remind us that cinema has the power to explore uncharted territory, even if that journey is not for everyone. Whether audiences loved it or left it, ‘Here’ serves as a reminder of the enduring power of creative risk-taking — and the undeniable value of art for its own sake.
Cast:
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writers: Eric Roth, Robert Zemeckis
Actors: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Kelly Reilly, Leslie Zemeckis, Paul Bettany
By Jake Yancey
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
More Interesting Stories From The Hollywood Insider
– Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
– A Tribute to Martin Scorsese: A Complete Analysis of the Life and Career of the Man Who Lives and Breathes Cinema
– Do you know the hidden messages in ‘Call Me By Your Name’? Find out behind the scenes facts in the full commentary and In-depth analysis of the cinematic masterpiece
– A Tribute To The Academy Awards: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | From Rami Malek, Leonardo DiCaprio To Denzel Washington, Halle Berry & Beyond | From Olivia Colman, Meryl Streep To Bette Davis & Beyond
– In the 32nd Year Of His Career, Keanu Reeves’ Face Continues To Reign After Launching Movies Earning Over $4.3 Billion In Total – “John Wick”, “Toy Story 4”, “Matrix”, And Many More
Author
Jake Yancey is a product of NYU Tisch and is passionate about engaging in substantial conversation and enriching, multi-faceted dialogue in politics, tv production, and culture. Jake is excited to work at The Hollywood Insider because he believes that Film and Journalism are humanity’s first line of defense against the chaos of an uninformed public sector and so spends his time scouting for relevant stories everywhere. Jake, driven by a strong work ethic and love for people, plans on eventually working at the studios to help develop the stories which have had such a lasting impact on him.
Jake Yancey is a product of NYU Tisch and is passionate about engaging in substantial conversation and enriching, multi-faceted dialogue in politics, tv production, and culture. Jake is excited to work at The Hollywood Insider because he believes that Film and Journalism are humanity’s first line of defense against the chaos of an uninformed public sector and so spends his time scouting for relevant stories everywhere. Jake, driven by a strong work ethic and love for people, plans on eventually working at the studios to help develop the stories which have had such a lasting impact on him.
