Dream Lover

Dream Lover_360P

source: Dream Lover

This is an outstanding piece. Plots and twists and turns. It has to be seen to be appreciated. James Spader is very fine in this. Spader fans will also like his slightly absent-minded professor character in Stargate.

I first saw Dream Lover on television, the movie did not catch my full attention. It seems that sometimes when a movie is viewed on television with all the interruptions of commercials, something seems to be taken away with from the total enjoyment of the movie. This is what was missing when I first viewed Dream Lover on television. Once I saw Dream Lover on the Cable Network, I viewed the movie with my full attention and no interruptions. I then realized that Dream Lover was a picture filled with twists and manipulation and suspense that was worth watching over and over again. James Spader (Ray) came off as a sincere husband who was totally manipulated by a woman Madchen Amick (Lena) whom he loved and trusted in spite of many suttle lies that he became aware of throughout their marriage. Unfortunately he had to pay a heavy price for love. This is a movie worth watching, it makes one wonder if they really can know a person.

I love sexy femme fatale movies in general .i probably enjoyed Dream Lover more than i should have . i recently saw it on cable but missed the first 10 minutes . i was able to catch it again from the beginning . there were many flaws in the script to be sure . the movie kept my interest throughout but eventually fell apart toward the finale . i would have liked to have known more about the main character Lena Mathers as the plotting perfect wife from hell . silly over simplistic unsatisfactory ending . this film is more of a mystery than a thriller . i enjoyed the hot love making scenes . i bet there were a few alternate endings to Dream Lover but they decided to take the easy way out . if you like femme fatale movies just as much as i do rent Bodyheat , Basic Instict , Fatal Attraction ,and Single White Female . Dream Lover is an OK movie to catch on cable or DVD . almost " Hot "! ......... P.W.H.

Ray is the owner of a prosperous architect company. However, he has recently gone through a very painful divorce. His friends try to cheer him up by showing him the positive sides of being single but for Ray marriage and stability is just too important. But when he meets Lena his gloom is quickly forgotten. She is beautiful, sensual, mysterious and he is drawn to her like a moth to a candle. They marry quickly, have their first child and Ray lives in a total bliss. But then strange incidents occur which shed some light on Lena's background. Ray slowly realises that he hardly knows anything about her at all.... For once James spader plays a decent character whose misfortunes have nothing to do with him. Them there's the rest of the movie, which was made on the back end of all those psycho movies (single white female, unlawful entry etc) and it really shows. It's as if the makers of the film have chucked everything they can at the wall of adult drama and sees what sticks. Nothing really does. Amick is okay to begin with, but hen she just goes way over the top it's almost border-lining pantomime. It's all very yuppie and snobbishly made, almost as if it was made for the middle classes, but I hated the fact that they did this, I don't live like that, and why do all these things happen to stupidly rich people. If you are a Spader fan, it's worth watching, he is good, but for anyone else, it's a mess. And for a film in this sub genre, it's got one of the worst endings ever. It's literally 'is that really the end?'

Dream Lover is one odd little film. On one hand, it's a Neo-Noir style mystery romantic thriller, but for some reason; supernatural themes are constantly hinted at through the tone, title and dream sequences featured throughout the film. I have to say that it really looks like director Nicholas Kazan wasn't really sure what he wanted the film to be, and what we've ended up with is a disjointed blending of a few different genres, which hasn't come out all that well. Still, Dream Lovers does manage an interesting story in spite of this; and while I'm biased because I love a good mystery thriller, I'd say it's just about worth seeing. The plot focuses on Ray Reardon (not the snooker player), a man who has just split with his wife. It's not long before he meets the beautiful Lena Mathers, whom he falls in love, marries and has kids with...before realising that he doesn't really know anything about her. Oops! Around the same time, strange events transpire and it becomes obvious to Ray that Lena isn't who she appears to be, and so he endeavours to get to the bottom of who she is. James Spader takes the lead role and both acts and looks the part that he is playing. He is joined by the suitably sexy Mädchen Amick, who is both sultry and seductive in her role. The leads do have chemistry together, and while the film is in no way as sexy as Nicholas Kazan obviously thinks it is, there are no problems on the acting front. The plot really is all over the place, yet somehow it still manages to be rather predictable and despite being a mystery, Dream Lover soon sets itself into a rhythm. I don't like the title very much, as it gives the complete wrong impression of the film - and while it sort of makes sense given what happens, it could have been marketed better. It all boils down to a decent enough ending which, while not very clever, manages to make sense in spite of the fact that it's all a little bit silly, and the final sequence is by far and away the most powerful in the film. Overall, I can't really give Dream Lovers high recommendations, but it's enjoyable and I think the majority of negative comments directed against it are unfair.

James Spader is affable as an architect named Ray, who divorced his first wife after she fooled around. Then a new woman comes into his life: the enticing, gorgeous Lena (Madchen Amick), and he soon becomes smitten, to the point of marrying her and fathering children with her. Then he realizes how badly he's screwed up by marrying a woman to whom lying is second nature. She's a master manipulator with a personality for different occasions. Although not altogether satisfying (especially the ending), "Dream Lover" is a decent suspense-thriller. It treads on pretty familiar ground overall, but writer / director Nicholas Kazan (son of the legendary Elia Kazan) tells a reasonably entertaining story. It spices things up with a bit of sex and nudity (there is an unrated version of this that was released on laserdisc), and Kazan is capable at continuing to throw twists and turns at us. His framework is the most interesting, original element, as it contains scenes of Ray at a carnival where the workers accost him with details of the plot. The truth is that you can't feel too much sympathy for Ray, as he buys all this trouble by getting involved with a stranger without bothering to learn very much about her. But Spader is good as always, and is surrounded by good actors and familiar faces: Fredric Lehne, Bess Armstrong, and comedian / actor Larry Miller (the main source of comedy relief, obviously) play his friends, and other actors and actresses like Scott Coffey, Clyde Kusatsu, William Shockley, Irwin Keyes, Janel Moloney, Robert David Hall, Paul Ben-Victor, and Erick Avari comprise a solid supporting cast. Still, Madchen is the compelling primary asset of "Dream Lover": looking delectable throughout, she's a treat to watch as she switches on a dime when it comes to her personality shifts. Kazan does come up with some good dialogue, especially that "paranoia is actually heightened awareness" line. And he & his cast keep this engrossing most of the way, even though that resolution is bound to leave viewers wanting. Seven out of 10.

After an intense divorce, Ray accidentally bumps into the beautiful Lena at an art gallery. While their first encounter is unpleasant, subsequent meetings result in a romantic relationship that soon turns into a marriage with children. Nearly two years, into their marriage Ray begins to discover that Lena isn't the person he thought she was. Secrets begin to unravel and as Ray begins to discover the truth, Lena has an alternate plan for him. Nicholas Kazan's 'Dream Lover' mainly focuses on the relationship between Ray and Lena. Initially, it may give the impression of being just another 'relationship thriller' but the film does succeed in creating a tense atmosphere especially as Ray becomes more and more suspicious of his wife. The director and actors already hint from the very beginning of Ray and Lena's relationship that something is not quite right. I felt the story itself was at a disadvantage mostly because not enough background was provided on Lena. As a result of which much of the character remains a question mark. 'Dream Lover' is executed brilliantly. The dream sequences were excellently shot as it successfully creates a surreal, scary and colourful world. The cinematography is wonderful particularly in the way it captures the interiors of Ray's house and background score is beautiful. James Spader and Mädchen Amick are in top form. Spader displays Ray's vulnerability, humbleness and strength with conviction while Amick's luring beauty and restraint make her just right for the part. The rest of the cast does a fine job in providing support. 'Dream Lover' is pretty much about Ray's illusion in finding the perfect partner. He thought he had already found her once and lost her (the divorce) but after meeting Lena he's convinced that she is her. This may not be everyone's kind of film but 'Dream Lover' is more about the intensity and mystery of the relationship than the actual story.

Dream Lover has something in it for everyone. Right from the chemistry between the two central characters, to how the truth is uncovered and the twists and turns leading to the climax. As the movie unfolds, the viewer begins to realize the hidden agenda, motives and manipulation involved. Excellent performances by James Spader and Madchen Amick backed by a decent script, direction and dialogue make this one of my all time favourites. Its a movie which makes you realize that people aren't always what they seem to be and how certain events in Life do not always have to be a coincidence. In my book, Dream Lover is quite underrated and deserves better.