If you went by the title alone, you might think that director Alan J. Pakula's Dream Lover (1986) was some sort of light-hearted romantic comedy; complete with a cute adoring couple and a cute adorable ending, but light-hearted comedy this is not. What this film is though is an intriguing psychological thriller that explores the thin line between reality and our dreams; where does one begin and the other end? How do we know that what we are experiencing is real or just something created within our own mind? Does a nightmare feel any less "real" because it isn't reality?
Kathy Gardner (Kristy McNichol) is an emotionally repressed young woman, desperately living for the approval of her domineering father (Paul Shenar). Through an opportunity at music school she takes a job in New York; an opportunity that not only allows her to use her love of music professionally but also gives her a chance to break away from her father's control and get out on her own. One night, while in her own apartment, she is attacked by a deranged man and ends up having to kill him. While she was not physically hurt in the brutal attack, it has left her with horrifying and reoccurring nightmares from which she can find no escape. Conventional medicine offers her no relief except thru the use of heavy, addictive drugs that she does not want, and psychiatric counseling cannot give her the immediate help that she needs. While seeking treatment for her problem at a sleep research center she meets Dr. Michael Hansen (Ben Masters); he believes that his unconventional sleep research might be able to help this anguished young woman. Though it is unethical for him to use his untried techniques on humans he begins experimenting on Kathy in an effort to bring her relief from her nightmarish dream world. But now Kathy's nightmares take on a life of their own, escalating out of control while becoming more and more twisted and horrifying.
This exceptional psychological drama centers on the character of Kathy played by Kristy McNichol, the entire film depends on her and she does an excellent job. This is probably one of the most unusual and fascinating roles that she ever played; it is also some of her finest acting work as well. The intriguing script and Pakula's disciplined direction force Kristy to push herself to another acting level bringing us this incredible performance. If you have only seen her in the teen melodrama roles that she is best known for this will likely be a surprise for you, this is not the way we are used to seeing Kristy McNichol in the movies; it could very well be the most "un-Kristy" role that she ever had. Though past her teens she is still able to bring a certain youthful innocence and naiveté that the role requires while at the same time showing us this vulnerable young women tortured by her own mind. All of the supporting actors involved also do an excellent job and help bring to the story a heightened sense of tension and suspense. Director Pakula has brought to the film a deliberate slowed pace that allows us the time to watch the story unfold and to see the disintegration of Kathy's mind and spirit as her nightmarish world intensifies. Pakula also brings to the film a distinctive view of our dream world showing it in a interesting new way, in one unforgettable scene we watch as Kathy is being raped; simultaneously we see it thru two viewpoints, her own dreaming eyes and also the "eyes" of the dispassionate camera at the sleep laboratory, two completely different perspectives on the same horrifying event. Dream Lover is a film that explores the darkest corners of the human mind and to what uppermost limits of horror a person can endure; truly a unique and memorable viewing experience.
Buying note: This film is only available on full screen VHS tape, it has been out of print for many years but still should be easy to find on the internet or at other used video outlets. Please also note that over the years there have been several films using the title Dream Lover so if you are buying sight unseen you will want to make sure that you are getting the 1986 version.
1-26-2006
