Retro Film Review: Dream Lover (1993)

Too many thrillers in 1990s relied on the same formula - protagonists having to deal with seemingly innocent and pleasant individual who is in reality a dangerous psychopath. So, whenever authors of such thriller tried to evade or bring fresh spin for this formula, results were usually better than average. One of such examples is Dream Lover, 1993 thriller written and directed by Nicholas Kazan.

Protagonist of this film is Ray Reardon (played by James Spader), successful and rich architect who is recovering from the painful divorce. On one of the parties he meets Lena (played by Madchen Amick), beautiful and mysterious woman who would arouse his curiosity as well as his lust. Two of them gradually start a relationship, end in bed, get married and raise a family. Ray's idyll begins to crack when strange incidents begin to cast doubt about both Lena's identity. Faced with the great possibility that he was lied for years, Ray loses grip on reality and all that leads to unexpected finale.

Nicholas Kazan, son of famous director Elia Kazan and well-established screenwriter of his own, reverses 1990s thriller formula by avoiding use of dangerous lunatic as convenient villain. Psychotic character in this film is actually the protagonist, while villain happens to be normal person with immoral, but quite understandable agenda. Kazan also reverses the formula by turning protagonist's affliction into advantage instead of weakness. Rather unconventional and totally surprising ending is also one of the advantages of the film. Acting is very fine, with James Spader allowing darker overtones to manifest in his screen personality. Madchen Amick, one of Twin Peaks beauties, is also quite impressive as femme fatale, and male audience would probably appreciate her willingness to perform nude in front of cameras. Unfortunately, Kazan shows some problems in pacing - the ending is somewhat too abrupt, and the scenes featuring Ray's insane fantasies seem too distracting and "artsy". However, Dream Lover is definitely film worth watching and one of the most underated 1990s thrillers.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on October 4th 2000)

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