In all the “favorite movie” lists that have come out since Robin Williams died, I haven’t heard anyone pick What Dreams May Come.

I actually forgot about this movie until my husband mentioned it. We only saw it once, back in 1998 when it came out, but it stuck with him.

Me, not so much. At the time I was doing movie reviews at The Free Press with Joe Tougas. I remember not liking it, but in the intervening years I have forgotten why.

I’d like to watch it again because I think I might like it this time. The storyline seems to be right up my alley.

(The following is not really a spoiler since the crux of the movie hinges on death).

Williams plays a doctor named Chris. He dies in a car accident and after spending some time roaming the earth and trying to communicate with his distraught wife, he goes to heaven. Heaven in this movie is an extremely trippy and Technicolor experience.

Chris’ wife, Annie, commits suicide and goes to hell. As noted in the Wikipedia entry, “this is not the result of a judgment made against them [those who commit suicide], but rather their own tendency to create ‘nightmare’ afterlife worlds based on their pain.”

Chris is determine to rescue Annie from hell and bring her to heaven, despite the fact no one has been able to do that.

This is a film about death and grief and loss, and the prospect of reuniting with loved ones after death. I can’t help but to think I might get something from this if I watch it now. Fans of Robin Williams might also want to turn to this movie during this time of sadness.