DREAM LOVER

(director: Alan Pakula; screenwriter: Jon Boorstin; cinematographer: Sven Nykvist; editor: Trudy Ship; music: Michael Small; cast: Paul Shenar(Father), Kristy McNichol (Kathy Gardner), Ben Masters (Michael Hansen), Justin Deas (Kevin McCann), Gayle Hunnicut (Claire), John McMartin (Martin), Joseph Culp (Danny), Matthew Penn (Billy); Runtime: 104; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Jon Boorstin/Alan Pakula; MGM Home Entertainment; 1986)

“Leaden.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

A dreadful psychological thriller filled with psychobabble about dream therapy. Director Alan Pakula(“Klute”/”Sophie’s Choice”/”All the President’s Men”) and Jon Boortin make it into a dreary case history study with nothing uncovered that is consequential. Though set in NYC it was shot in London.

A NYC rape victim (Kristy McNichol), an aspiring jazz flutist, who stabbed her apartment attacker is having recurring nightmares and receives treatment from a dream researcher (Ben Masters). Problem is the nightmares only get worst.

I had no problem with the cast trying their best to make the inane unpleasant story work, even if they couldn’t. The result is a leaden film. This is a film topic more up Bergman’s alley than Pakula’s.

The only thing that worked was Sven Nykvist’ photography.

REVIEWED ON 10/14/2015 GRADE: C   https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/