A Dreamy Story I’ll Never Forget

One of my favourite stories is the movie What Dreams May Come. It’s the story of Chris and Annie, a couple deeply in love. Annie is a talented and sensitive artist and  Chris is her biggest fan. They suffer a devastating loss of their two children which changes their lives forever, with Chris trying everything he can to make Annie happy again. Four years later, Chris seems to be breaking through to Annie when he also dies in a car accident one stormy night. He wakes up to his friend welcoming him to Heaven and showing him around. Heaven is magical, a place right out of Annie’s most beautiful paintings where he learns he can do anything. His dog jumps out, slipping across the wet paint of the colourful field he is in, and the sky swirls shades of blue and white. He can fly, walk on water and touch the delicate paint strokes of a flower. He seems happy.

Except one day, he learns Annie has taken her own life, and when suicide is involved, the people don’t end up at the same place as Chris has found himself. The movie follows him as he tries to find her and save her from the dark fate she is living. He never gives up, and is determined that because they are destined to be together, he will be able to save Annie.

I now realize this story has stuck with me for over 20 years because of the four reasons Linda Brown discusses in her Module 2 video. If you view the video, specifically at the time stamps below, you’ll see this story is a great example of how a good storyteller makes a story moving.

The Universal Message Of Love Conquers All. [Time stamp 1:49]

The writers set the story up so that I fell in love with their relationship. I felt comfortable and engrossed in her art and his love of it. I wanted it to last and for them to be happy. The story of love conquering all is timeless and some argue is the oldest story of all time. I just know I’m drawn to a well-written love story based on a supportive and committed relationship.

Clear Structure and Purpose. [Time stamp 2:26]

The writer developed the feelings of the characters long enough that I understood what they were going through. I felt their pain, and Chris’ perseverance left me with the message to never give up, no matter how hard the road ahead seems. Events happened at a pace and in a sequence that made sense to me. Although the message of love conquering all is woven through the entire story, the deeper message is that faith is what gives you strength to not give up when you see no other option.

Simplicity. [Time stamp 3:25]

The visuals of this move won both an Academy Award and a Satellite Award, but the simple story of love lost and the journey back to each other is what really keeps the viewer engaged.

A Character to Root For. [Time stamp 3:42]

Robin Williams played the character of Chris in this show, and portrayed him as sincere, passionate, honorable and committed. His reasons to keep fighting are powerful, and leave the viewer desperate for him to prove that love conquers all.

Overall, the story of What Dreams May Come captivates a viewer who is not afraid of deep and dark emotions and inspires her to feel those emotions and work her way through them. The visual effects tempt the viewer to explore the screen as if she were in a gallery. It draws her in to a world as beautiful as she can imagine, full of hope and perseverance.