Fri Jul 18 01:30:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**”Hereafter” Reconsidered: Why Roger Ebert Found Profound Meaning in Eastwood’s Underrated Film**

LOS ANGELES – Clint Eastwood’s 2010 film “Hereafter,” starring Matt Damon as a reluctant psychic, initially met with lukewarm reception from critics. But the late Roger Ebert championed the film as a thoughtful meditation on grief, love, and humanity’s innate desire to believe in an afterlife.

The film follows George Lonegan (Damon), a man burdened by his ability to connect with the dead. His path intersects with Marie (Cécile de France), a French journalist forever changed by a near-death experience during a tsunami, and a pair of twins in London grappling with family tragedy. These seemingly disparate lives converge as Eastwood explores different perspectives on death and what, if anything, lies beyond.

While many critics found Eastwood’s direction too gentle and the plot meandering, Ebert recognized the film’s profound exploration of human emotion. In his review, Ebert noted that “Hereafter” doesn’t offer definitive answers about the afterlife but instead delves into our inherent need for belief and comfort in the face of mortality.

Ebert lauded Eastwood’s focus on character development and the raw emotional needs of the protagonists. Unlike typical Hollywood fare driven by plot resolutions, “Hereafter” presents a realistic depiction of grief, solace, and the quiet struggles of individuals searching for meaning.

He saw the film as less about psychic abilities and more about love and our hope that love transcends death. Ebert included “Hereafter” in his honorable mentions for the best films of 2010, highlighting its depth and emotional resonance.

Ebert’s personal reflections on faith, explored in his 2012 essay “How I Believe in God,” shed further light on his appreciation for “Hereafter.” He embraced the film’s ambiguity, valuing the questions it raises over simplistic answers, resonating with Eastwood’s gentle and thought-provoking exploration of life’s biggest mysteries.

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