In late 1980s attempt to sell Harry and the Hendersons as the sequel to Steven Spielberg’s iconic E.T. represented probably the most amusing episode in the history of Yugoslav cinema distribution. A decade later this was matched by Croatian video distributor releasing DVD under title Sixth Sense Part II. Those who watched it soon realised that it didn’t only have nothing to do with M. Night Shyamalan’s popular supernatural thriller but it wasn’t feature film at all. Instead, DVD contained abridged version of Living with the Dead, two-part 2002 television film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, released in Europe under title Talking to Heaven.
The series is based on the eponymous autobiographical book of American self-declared psychic James Van Praagh (who briefly appears in cameo role of organist). The plot begins in 1960s when young James Van Praagh (played by Connor Widdows) discovers that some of his childhood friends are actually deceased. When he talks about it to his parents and teachers they suggest that he forgets the whole thing, otherwise he might end in mental institution. Many years later Van Praagh as an adult man (played by Ted Danson) will discover ability to communicate with the dead in probably the worst moment of his life – after his company failed and his mother (played by Diane Ladd) has died. Some of the ghosts he communicates with are crime victims so Van Praagh shares his findings with police detective Karin Condrin (played by Mary Steenburgen). Initially sceptical, she will begin successful cooperation with the medium. Van Praagh will face true ordeal when he gets embroiled in complicated case of serial killings that involves local businessmen, Catholic clergy and Van Praagh himself.
Living with the Dead was made on Vancouver locations, and many fans of the The X-Files would be reminded of the best episodes of popular series. Budget and content constraints of television production are easily handled by competent direction by veteran director Stephen Gyllenhaal. Absence of explicit violence and poor special effects are well-compensated by Gyllenhaal’s success in creating atmosphere of unease, while script by John Pielmier, playwright who would later become famous for writing miniseries Hitler: Rise of Evil, manages to find proper balance between horror and sentimentality. Cast is also very good, which includes sitcom star Ted Danson who handles dramatic role well, helped by his real life wife Mary Steenburgen with whom he had worked in number previous television projects, as well as veteran character actors like Diane Ladd and Jack Palance. On the other hand, Van Praagh, who was one of co-producers, tried to enhance adaptation of his autobiography with completely fictional crime plot and more perceptive viewers, as well as those sceptical towards Van Praagh’s psychic claims, will notice artificiality of the story. Quality of Living with the Dead also suffers because some of the subplots aren’t properly resolved, at least in the abridged DVD version that was released in Europe.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
_
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/ InLeo blog https://inleo.io/@drax.leo
InLeo: https://inleo.io/signup?referral=drax.leo Stars Arena: https://www.starsarena.com/?ref=draxblog Unstoppable Domains: https://unstoppabledomains.com/?ref=3fc23fc42c1b417 Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax y Bitcoin Lightning HIVE donations: https://v4v.app/v1/lnurlp/qrcode/drax Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax 1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
