Dream House

Country guy and contractor/builder John Schneider follows city planner Marilu Henner to the Big Apple, after he had a fling with her in his small town in Georgia. What follows is unbelievable, far-fetched, and beyond description, if the beginning wasn't enough for you. But that is why we love TV movies like this. This couldn't happen in today's world, could it? He pesters her with flowers and comes to her door, expecting to stay. She of course is flabbergasted by his pure and persistent pursuit of her and she wants nothing to do with him, wait, yes, no, well… Parking tickets lead him to buy a lot to park his huge camper in, and that leads to run-ins with thugs who want him out. But he is steadfast in his intentions to build a house on the property in a bad part of town. Sound incredible! This predictable and simple TV movie is a charming and enjoyable crowd-pleaser. Sit back and take in the world of the early 1980s, a time period best preserved by John Schneider TV movies like this.

For me, this film has one of those fuzzy, golden auras about it. A naive and beautiful man building something out of nothing for the sake of the woman he loves? Wow. How romantic it was, reassuring you that life is as wonderful as you know it can be.

OK, so I haven't seen this movie since it was first televised, and yeah, I was 9 years old at the time, and sure, I was pretty sure in those days John Schneider was the most perfect man on the planet and I was destined to live happily ever after with him (or at least win a date with his through that Teen Beat contest -- which was obviously rigged). But I maintain that it must have been one of the purest, simplest, sweetest movies ever made.

I'm sure the film (just like anything from childhood reexamined in the light of adult experience) would not stand up to a grownup's cynicism. The plot contrived? The acting less than stellar? Maybe. But who cares? I don't plan to see it again, because I prefer the sweet memory.

For those of you who haven't seen it, if you do, try to look at it through the eyes of who you were then, because the '80s were definitely a very different time. Take yourself back to that place where Friday night Dukes of Hazzard viewings were big social events, when Hot Wheels, some Garanimals and an Olivia Newton John record were all you needed to be happy. Grab yourself a cold Tab and some Jiffy Pop, plop yourself down in your beanbag chair and you're ready for a night of fine entertainment.

I am a fan of John Schneider and the Dukes of Hazzard, which is probably a huge contributing factor for my liking this movie. It is a simple "fish out of water" plot, but is still fun to watch. Charley Cross tries to park his behomoth of a camper in New York City, tries to get friendly with local hoodlums, and decides he will make New York City his home. However he will build this home on an empty lot he was tricked in to buying for political reasons. It is one I have watched many times. However, without John Schneider I probably would not have enjoyed it nearly as much.

Wow, this was a bad movie. I remember how bad it was when it aired the first time. John Schneider is a home builder who comes to the big city to an empty lot. Despite insurmountable problems and hardships he manages to build his "dream House" on an empty lot in the middle of the city. Imagine putting the Cleaver house on Wall Street. This was a bad idea that made a bad movie.

Laura loves Charlie but she won't admit it. Charlie drives to the big city and parks his van on a vacant lot and he has to purchase the lot or he will be given a ticket for illegal parking. He builds a house on the vacant lot in the hope that his persistence will pay off and Laura will finally admit that she loves him too!

This is an excellent family film. With outstanding performances from Marilu Henner and John Schneider. If you like feel-good movies that leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling then you will love this one.