Title: What Dreams May Come
Year: 1998
Writers: Richard Matheson (novel) and Ronald Bass (screenplay)
Director: Vincent Ward
Actors: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., Annabella Sciorra and Max von Sydow
Lighting: In “What Dreams May Come”, there is a constant transition; three-point-lighting changes to low-key, then to high-key (all within the same scene). This type of lighting is vital to the dramatic effect of the story. Cinematographer Eduardo Serra worked with director Vincent Ward to create the stunning visual effects in this film. “What Dreams May Come” won the 1999 Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
The protagonist in this film was played by Robin Williams. After dying in a car crash, Williams searches for his wife in the afterlife. Discovering that his wife is in hell, Williams travels throughout the underworld and into his wife’s mind. The use of low-key lighting while he travels on the boat, wading through the lost souls of hell, creates the suspenseful and ominous mood of the scene. If high-key or natural lighting was used, the scene would be remarkably less dark and tortured. In addition, the film’s genre is fantasy (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011). Therefore, the use of natural lighting would be much less effective and even contrary to the film’s theme.
During the scenes in which the characters are in Heaven, the use of lighting drastically elevates the mood. According to Chapman (1998), the influence for these scenes come from a Caspar David Friedrich painting entitled “Two Men Contemplating the Moon.” (below)
Computer software was used to blend components of the painting with footage shot at Glacier National Park. The lighting used was a style called “mysterious luminescence” and the use of light actually symbolized “truth”. During the most vivid scenes, the filmmakers used stained glass color because when you are in a church you see the rich colors of the glass due to the light behind the panes (Chapman, 1998). This use of high-key lighting created the bright “other-worldly” mood. Any other use of lighting would have taken away from this and the scene would have been obtuse, if not disastrous.
The overall use of lighting in this film allows viewers to experience the various emotions that Williams feels throughout his journey.
Resources:
Chapman, G. (1998, October 12). “Air Base Furnishes Dream Location for Film Firm”. Oakland Tribune [Oakland].
Friedrich, C. D.(1825). Two men contemplating the moon [Oil on canvas]. Retrieved from http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/2000.51
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Ward, V. (Director). (1998). What Dreams May Come [Motion picture]. USA: Universal Studios.
What Dreams May Come (hell) [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwrmILnrzbk
What Dreams May Come Official Trailer #1 – Max von Sydow Movie (1998) HD [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmZ- FuBThuQ
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