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Here
An odyssey through time and memory, centered on a place in New Jersey where—from wilderness, and then, later, from a home—love, loss, struggle, hope and legacy play out between couples and families over generations.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 1, 2025
While there are a few moments that managed to move me and reveal glimpses of what Robert Zemeckis was aiming for, the majority of this film felt bland and empty. The stationary camera gimmick, which covers the vast expanse of time, seems to exist primarily to showcase Zemeckis’ ability to splice in visual references to different time periods—The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show plays on a TV in one corner, while a wedding from decades earlier unfolds elsewhere in the frame.
While this approach might sound interesting on paper, it comes across as both schmaltzy and visually monotonous. Zemeckis clearly enjoys experimenting with visual effects, but this feels more like a conceit that exists purely to make use of his technical toys rather than a compelling story first that is then enhanced by the cutting-edge technology.
That said, there are a couple of moments that work. The stationary camera’s strongest contribution is the exclamation point that it puts on the one instance where the camera finally moves. It’s a genuinely touching moment and easily the film's high point. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience left me wishing I were home in my La-Z-Boy.
As for a recommendation—waiting to watch this at home might seem like a good idea, but I suspect the visuals would fare even worse on a small screen. In the end, do what you please.