Death of an old friend Sully takes Bobby Garfield, now a middle aged man, back to the last, long summer of his childhood, when he was eleven. Young Bobby's father has died six years earlier, and his mother's office work doesn't pay that well, so money is a little tight. They take in a tenant, a retired man Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins), whom Bobby soon befriends. Ted, a well spoken man, tells little of his past, but asks Bobby to keep an eye on "low men," as he calls them. "Fellows who are ruthless, and stop at nothing to get what they want." We soon enough find out it's Ted's ability to see into minds of people that has brought the low men after him. Who are the low men, and who is Ted himself really, are far more evasive questions. There is an effective sense of mystery surrounding this aspect of the movie, and some questions remain unanswered.

All this seems appropriate for a film based on a book by Stephen King. Forget that, though. This is not a scary movie, not even much of a thriller. This is foremostly a story about events in life of a boy still in the age when summers lasted forever, and the magic in life wasn't a thing of past. Bobby spent those golden days with Sully, and another age mate Carol (Mika), a bubbly, beautiful and lovable girl.

"Birthday boy!" exclaims Carol as we first see her, and puts a kiss on Bobby's cheek. "It's hard enough being your friend without you pulling off stuff like that," complains Bobby, apparently meaning it. "You loved it," states Carol, all smiles. It's a rare relationship, with Carol equally happy to be a girl, with long beautiful hair and pretty clothes, as she is to play boys' games as an equal.

Ted quickly sees to the bottom of the relationship, and grosses out Bobby by asking if he's kissed her yet. "It will be the kiss by which all others in your life will be judged," he muses. Such lines, sentimental or even cliched, are superbly delivered by Hopkins, and that could be biggest strength of the movie. Hopkings makes a fantastic, enigmatic Ted; gentle, yet just a little unsettling. It's one of the finest performances of Hopkins, which is saying a lot indeed.

Excellent acting doesn't stop there. Anton Yelchin, as young Bobby, does one of the best child roles I've witnessed. This site is about female actresses only, but were Anton a girl, she'd be right there in the top five. The story is all about Bobby: as a child with his first crush, as a friend of Ted, as the son to his flawed mother. It's a tough role, and he performs impressively, his face very expressive in the numerous close-ups. This said, his performance is uneven, though for that I like to blame the director. The sample video clip is one occasion where his acting falls short of his full potential.

Some will find the character a little too perfect, precocious, wise beyond his years, what have you. That may be so, but he's also a very real person, all his lines and emotions believable. Anton winning a Young Artist Award for the role is very appropriate.

Mika is not on the screen that much, as the movie is foremostly about Bobby and Ted. Nonetheless the relationship with Carol, as innocent as it may be, ties deeply into the story. It's never dwelled on for long, which seems appropriate for children of that age. While you'll remember your first kiss forever, it may not fill your world at the time. Thankfully all awkwardness is avoided in the handling of this subject. That I'm such a sap isn't the only reason why all the scenes with Carol make me smile and feel good. Much of that is because Mika as Carol is such a sweet girl, quite a perfect one in that sense really, but who's complaining. This is not to say the style is Disney-sugary; you remain aware that the happy moments are passing, or, for adult Bobby, long in past. It's all a bittersweet memory.

Mika's acting isn't exceptional, but she's a perfect fit for the role. This easily Mika's best and most enjoyable role, despite being reasonably small. While I marked her screen time as "medium," it's not far from "small".

Although the story is told from Bobby's point of the view, the basic attitude of the movie is that of recalling one's childhood. Ted is essentially an old man, looking to spend the rest of his life peacefully, and delivers several beautiful lines about the passing of time. The award winning cinematography fully supports the story. Watching the three children splashing and laughing in the water, spending the never ending, warm summer days together, sharing easy affection and friendship, is the loveliest depiction of childhood.

Hearts in Atlantis is not for everyone, but it really worked for me.