Incubo d'amore

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.

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.

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.'

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 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.