In Dreams
2/4
Starring: Annette Bening, Aidan Quinn, Paul Guilfoyle, Robert Downey, Jr.
Rated R for Violence/Terror and Language
Like "The Bodyguard," "Greedy," and "Firelight," "In Dreams" is one of those movies from my childhood that I was intrigued by but never got the chance to watch until now. I remember being especially interested because news reports warned parents not to take their kids to this movie (although I can't understand why...there's nothing here that doesn't occur in other, better R-rated movies).
Claire Cooper (Bening) has had strange dreams all her life. Lately, however, the dreams have begun to frighten her because she sees clues about the serial killer who is abducting and killing young girls, although the clues only make sense after they find the bodies. She begins to think that she has a psychic link to the killer (even she admits this is very silly). But when her own daughter becomes a victim, Claire's connection to the killer grows stronger and he begins to possess her. Now she has to find him before he kills again.
Putting it bluntly, this film is a fantastic looking mess. The film just looks awesome. It's almost worth seeing just to look at all the cool images that director Neil Jordan has constructed (generously helped by acclaimed cinematographer Darius Khondji and production designer Nigel Phelps). If only the story equaled it...
As silly as it is, the premise has promise. But unfortunately it's the same old story: good premise, bad execution. The film rests on the connection between Claire and the killer, but it's tenuously made. The rules of how this works aren't clearly established, and it isn't until the end that they begin to make sense, and even then they are broken.
I like Annette Bening. She's usually an impeccable actress, whether it is in a goofy movie like "Mars Attacks!" or a mysterious woman in "The Siege" (I thought she was a little shrill in "The Kids Are All Right," although apparently I'm the only one who thinks so since she got her fourth Oscar nomination for it). But she's just not very convincing here, going over-the-top on at least three occasions. This is partly due to this script, which is lacking, but Bening isn't blameless either. Aidan Quinn has nothing to do but play her worrying husband. Paul Guilfoyle fades into the background. Robert Downey Jr. is clearly coasting through his performance as Vivian, the killer. You'd think that everyone would want to do good work for respected director Neil Jordan.
Unlike many people, I am not the world's biggest fan of "The Crying Game." It's a well-made movie, but not particularly involving. Jordan does have an amazing visual sense (this can be seen in "Interview with the Vampire"). This is a very weak movie from someone who has made acclaimed movies like "Michael Collins" and "Mona Lisa." It doesn't always make sense and it drags in the middle.
Pity, because it just looks so good!
Starring: Annette Bening, Aidan Quinn, Paul Guilfoyle, Robert Downey, Jr.
Rated R for Violence/Terror and Language
Like "The Bodyguard," "Greedy," and "Firelight," "In Dreams" is one of those movies from my childhood that I was intrigued by but never got the chance to watch until now. I remember being especially interested because news reports warned parents not to take their kids to this movie (although I can't understand why...there's nothing here that doesn't occur in other, better R-rated movies).
Claire Cooper (Bening) has had strange dreams all her life. Lately, however, the dreams have begun to frighten her because she sees clues about the serial killer who is abducting and killing young girls, although the clues only make sense after they find the bodies. She begins to think that she has a psychic link to the killer (even she admits this is very silly). But when her own daughter becomes a victim, Claire's connection to the killer grows stronger and he begins to possess her. Now she has to find him before he kills again.
Putting it bluntly, this film is a fantastic looking mess. The film just looks awesome. It's almost worth seeing just to look at all the cool images that director Neil Jordan has constructed (generously helped by acclaimed cinematographer Darius Khondji and production designer Nigel Phelps). If only the story equaled it...
As silly as it is, the premise has promise. But unfortunately it's the same old story: good premise, bad execution. The film rests on the connection between Claire and the killer, but it's tenuously made. The rules of how this works aren't clearly established, and it isn't until the end that they begin to make sense, and even then they are broken.
I like Annette Bening. She's usually an impeccable actress, whether it is in a goofy movie like "Mars Attacks!" or a mysterious woman in "The Siege" (I thought she was a little shrill in "The Kids Are All Right," although apparently I'm the only one who thinks so since she got her fourth Oscar nomination for it). But she's just not very convincing here, going over-the-top on at least three occasions. This is partly due to this script, which is lacking, but Bening isn't blameless either. Aidan Quinn has nothing to do but play her worrying husband. Paul Guilfoyle fades into the background. Robert Downey Jr. is clearly coasting through his performance as Vivian, the killer. You'd think that everyone would want to do good work for respected director Neil Jordan.
Unlike many people, I am not the world's biggest fan of "The Crying Game." It's a well-made movie, but not particularly involving. Jordan does have an amazing visual sense (this can be seen in "Interview with the Vampire"). This is a very weak movie from someone who has made acclaimed movies like "Michael Collins" and "Mona Lisa." It doesn't always make sense and it drags in the middle.
Pity, because it just looks so good!
Comments
Post a Comment