User reviews

DREAM LOVER is a nicely made, well-acted little film about a man who meets and marries the girl of his dreams but begins to wonder who she really is. This film marks the directorial debut of screenwriter Nicholas Kazan, the son of Elia Kazan. He did a very impressive job. The cleverest touch is having a framing device which has a crazed clown at a carnival who explains the major plot developments to James Spader's character and to us as well. Spader plays a very successful businessman who just got a divorce and is very lonely. But a chance encounter with a beautiful young woman named Lena (Madchen Amick in a very incisive performance) changes that. She is perfect in every way. I can't reveal much more story than that. The plot twists and turns like a pretzel. It's not always plausible, especially the ending, but it is entertaining all the same.

Nice thriller with a decent amount of mystery let down by a rather abrupt ending. It's a shame because the film moves along nicely and is well executed for the first hour and slowly loses It's way. James Spader is good in the lead role & Madchen Amick is brilliant in her best role to date. Amick is never better than here as we learn more and more about her character and what's true and false. Just a shame about that ending though.

A late night boredom trip became quite a spectacle. Not only did the performances from Madchen Amick and James Spader feel realistic and genuine, the actions of the two seemed based more in reality as opposed to the Hollywoodized version of revenge and anger. While some might call this senseless trash, I call this a spectacle of the human condition, one that portrays the hidden evils within every person. With a solid B-cast, this film was certainly worth the time and money put into it. Also, the ending proved to be one of the best `revenge of the cuckold scenes ever.'

Perhaps the allusions to Hitchcock are not warranted, but the first time I saw this I was knocked out. DREAM LOVER has a tightly wound plot and fine performances by the entire cast. Nick Kazan has some great dialogue in here like "What you think is paranoia is heightened awareness." Some folks might fault Spader's character as very stupid (really, you should find out as much as you can about a potential mate before marrying them!) Still, this a great neo noir thriller that really goes to show that beauty is often skin deep. Definitely worth a rent.

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.

I can't call it a hidden gem but this is a good drama/romance/erotic thriller and i am glad i watched it. It helps if you are a Spader's fan, he gives a very good acting performance here. And Madchen Amick is a feast for the eyes. It helps even more if you like 90's cinema, you know, somewhat naive, not very convincing but entertaining, intense and fun. Interesting all the way until the end, never draggs, viewer empathized with the characters and wants to know how it is gonna end. Ending regarding, i would say that it is definitely unexpected. It's not brilliant, it's far fetched and i don't even know if i liked it or not but definitely it's not something forgettable.

Not a great movie but definitely watchable and entertaining.

For you classical movie fans and fans of the Fifties music scene, this film Dream Lover will not contain a note of either Jeanette MacDonald's first film hit song from The Love Parade or will you hear Bobby Darin's hit from the Fifties, both entitled Dream Lover. Neither song while different in style is positive in nature and wouldn't be right in this very downer of a thriller.

James Spader can't believe his luck in finding Madchen Amick, she's the perfect beautiful woman. He must feel like Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell Smith when they created Kelly LeBrock in Weird Science. This woman is an eleven plus and after a divorce from Bess Armstrong, Spader's in need of reassurance that he's still got it.

They marry and have children, but gradually he starts noticing little things that she always has a perfect explanation, but rattle Spader beyond the point of endurance. When he starts investigating his wife, Spader finds a lot of things just don't add up.

Dream Lover is a neat little thriller that will keep you guessing right to the end who is going to come out on top. In fact neither of them really do, or at least that's how I view the film.

Spader, Amick and the rest of the cast respond well to writer/director Nicholas Kazan's script and guidance. When Spader starts investigating the past of his wife and finds she's just a down home girl from Texas instead of what she puts out, he meets up with William Shockley her old boy friend. His one scene in the film with Spader will leave an indelible impression.

In fact Dream Lover will leave an indelible impression on you.

It's too bad that bigger budget Hollywood fare often obscures movies that are far better such as this. I wasn't expecting a whole lot from this film as I'd not heard much about it, but was totally captivated by it.

The performances from James Spader and the achingly beautiful Mädchen Amick are first rate, and the script is flawless. A lot of the plot feels like a rehash of Hitchcock, but it's done incredibly well, and hey, if you're going to steal from someone, might as well steal from the best.

The twists and turns really work, and take the viewer along for the ride as well. You'll find your own mind working along with the script, trying to unravel the mystery.

It's a shame this film didn't receive more publicity, as all the elements are there for this to have been a real hit. Instead, it remains one of my favorite little gems of a film... one of those that few people know about, but when they see it they think it's a great film as well.

An added bonus is that the home video version contains a few minutes of extra "steamy" scenes that were cut from theaters.

I think this film is an underappreciated modern-day classic, and I urge everyone to check it out.

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.

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.

I threw this on to have it play in the background, expecting it wouldn't be very good. I was expecting something akin to a Lifetime Original. I wish I would have paid more attention to the beginning of the movie because it was surprisingly good. Spader and Amick both did a great job in this movie. Maybe it's because I wasn't closely watching the first twenty minutes or so, but I feel the ending could have gone on a bit longer. It felt as though the movie ended rather abruptly but again, that could be because I didn't watch it closely.

James Spader playing yet another yuppie dullard, this time entering into a marriage with a mysterious, oddly detached young woman who has a hidden agenda (never mind that it takes her two babies and many years to carry it out). Threadbare thriller with a ridiculous plot-twist midway through, uninteresting characters, sterile atmosphere and a thin, colorless cast. The dream sequences themselves, set in a gaudy-wicked carnival, are visually striking but have little-to-zero connection to what's going on in the story. A half-baked concoction; dream love is one thing, but this film has no dream logic. *1/2 from ****

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.

Another one of those "if you've seen the video cover, you've seen the movie" thrillers. Quite honestly, I can't understand where some people saw the "twists" here; "Dream Lover" is as predictable as yesterday's news and as obvious as its overwrought dream scenes. Essentially this is nothing more than a more expensive, better acted and directed version of those Shannon Tweed/Andrew Stevens straight-to-video soft-core thrillers. But Spader and Amick do make an attractive couple, and there are some genuinely erotic moments in the early parts of the film, so as long as you know why you're watching the film (it's certainly not for the "twists"), you'll probably be satisfied. (**1/2)

Being real, there's only two reasons to watch this movie and that's for its two lead actors.

First, the obvious: you only have a few reasonable options if you want to see more of Madchen Amick (Shelley from Twin Peaks) and if you're into her because you think she's sexy, well then Dream Lover is going to give you more of a fix than you could have imagined. Second, this is peak James Spader. While most people tend to think of the 80's when they think of Spader, it is my opinion that his most important era as an actor stretches from 1990-2002 (There's Bad Influence in 1990 which isn't great but sort of kicks off the era of weirdness, then there's Soderbergh's debut Sex, Lies, and Videotape, which to me is Spader's true breakthrough performance and my personal favorite, then you have this in 1993, where he's continuing to maintain this sort of mostly creepy and unlikable presence but is thoroughly engaging and intense in a really singular type of way - you can't look away from him, then you get to 1996 where he leads David Cronenberg's devastating CRASH which is unlike anything you will ever see, all the way up to the fiercely kinky cult classic, SECRETARY, also featuring Maggie Gyllenhaal's breakthrough debut).

If you love either or both of the two leads, you'll definitely need to see this, but outside of that it doesn't offer too much. Though the movie does maintain a rather effective foreboding tone that almost gives it a sort of nightmarish energy, it's not especially surreal or memorable for any of those elements. The story definitely unfolds in a rather predictable manner - of course maybe it was more surprising in 1993, I don't know, but seeing it for the first time 30 years later, it feels a bit cliche with it's overall structure and outcome. Regardless, I'm still a fan of this movie, I just acknowledge that it's no masterpiece. It certainly lives up to its categorization as an erotic thriller - there was some really spicy stuff in the first half!

Slickly made overall. Great acting, interesting characters and a tight plot that keeps twisting right through the very end. I highly recommend this film for anyone looking for a psychological thriller. It'll help if you like James Spader, as he is the protagonist. The movie does a great job of being unpredictable. Don't miss this one!

The strenghts of this underrated and rather unknown movie are especially the outstanding performances by James Spader (who is great as usual) and Maedchen Amick who for the first time really shows how much sex-appeal she's got. Furthermore she's completely believable in this role as a beautiful, nontransparent and sort of crazy young woman.

The problem of this movie is that it goes on too long especially after Spader's and Amick's characters meet and fall in love. For this reason the tension decreases a little bit towards the end. Another weakness is the ending which is not completely satisfying since it leaves the viewer with quite a strange feeling. Nevertheless "Dream Lover" is a smart and extremely sexy and well-acted film - that's why you won't regret watching it.

Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

Aesthetically beautiful to watch, this Hitchcock-type thriller is facsinating. A husband discovers that his gorgeous, seemingly perfect "Dream Lover" of a wife has many hidden secrets, and could turn out to be more of a Nightmare.

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.

I think that people who refer to Hitchcock in attempting to identify a movie's style are stealing a lazy beat from movie industry copywriters, who desperately want readers to think the movie will produce the same kind of satisfaction that Hitchcock himself could generate. Well that's not how it actually works. There are Hitchcock homagers, hard to do and a respectable bunch (in that they acknowledge their debt--Stanley Donen, Brian DePalma), Hitchcock wannabees (too numerous to mention), and Hitchcock. Saying that a director has produced a Hitchcock-like movie is like saying a playwright has produced a Shakespeare-like play. Just resist the temptation.

What Hitchcock had going for him is everything Dream Lover lacks. Hitchcock portrayed ordinary people in extraordinary situations. The question he asked himself and his viewers was (when he was at his best), what would you do? Would you consider an offer to safely bump off your difficult spouse? Would you turn in an appealing but obviously disturbed impostor, or instead try to figure out on your own what the real story is? Would you save your country or your loved ones? Could you (forgive and) love someone who prostituted herself for her country? (Well, this last one was rhetorical: of course the answer's yes if the prostitute is Ingrid Bergman.)

What the writer/director presents us with here is: what changes would you go through if you had so little ability to connect to other human beings that you have no clue that the person you married just wanted all along to rip you off and destroy you? I'm being generous here; the film actually fails to thoroughly set Spader up as an emotional cripple, though it takes a feeble stab at it. Kazan Jr. isn't imitating Hitchcock here, but rather Don Segal (Invasion of the Body Snatchers), and without any compensating anti-McCarthyist political subtext. When you leave a good Hitchcock movie, you think, "That could have been me." When you leave Dream Lover, you think, "eight bucks, and they said it was Hitchcock-like!

p.s. For the commenter who was impressed by the movie's "paranoia is a heightened state of awareness" line: that's the signature statement of the Scottish (anti-)pyschiatrist R.D. Laing from the '70s. Great guy.