Hearts in Atlantis (2001)

Hearts in Atlantis (2001), directed by Scott Hicks, is an American mystery drama film loosely based on Stephen King’s Low Men in Yellow Coats, a story from his 1999 collection of the same name. In the film, middle-aged photographer and businessman Robert ‘Bobby’ Garfield returns to his hometown after learning about the death of his best friend, decorated soldier John ‘Sully’ Sullivan, in a car accident. As he visits his childhood home, now abandoned, Bobby reflects on his past. During one summer in the 1960s, eleven-year-old Bobby lives with his self-centered mother Liz Garfield and has two friends, Carol Gerber and Sully. Together, they share many experiences – the most intriguing being their encounter with an older gentleman named Ted Brautigan whom Liz takes in as a boarder.

As Bobby’s mother is occupied with work, Ted takes the young boy under his wing. They develop a paternal relationship and it gradually becomes apparent that Ted possesses psychic and telekinetic abilities, which led him to this small town. He eventually reveals that he fled from the ‘Low Men’ who are determined to capture him again. After discovering Bobby’s desire for a bike through reading his thoughts, Ted offers him $1 per week to read the newspaper aloud. Bobby soon realizes that there is another motive behind Ted’s request. In a mysterious manner, Ted asks Bobby to watch out for any signs of the ‘Low Men’ in the neighborhood, such as missing pet notices. Although Bobby observes one such sign, he keeps it to himself, fearing to lose his newfound companion.