Wishman

Paul Le Mat is a scruffy junkman picking Beverly Hills trash for a meager living. He finds Geoffrey Lewis in one of his dumpsters, claiming he is a genie who lost his bottle. The two enlist the help of Brion James to help find the missing bottle. James is just getting out of jail for running an illegal cockfight. "I love the smell of chicken feathers in the morning." Meanwhile, sleaze lawyer, Paul Gleason has been living off of ultra rich 29 year old virgin Quin Kessler, who Le Mat would like to meet. Gleason and his co conspirator, Nancy Parsons, keep Kessler under close watch as a prisoner in her own mansion. In order to assure their scam can continue beyond this generation they decide to impregnate Kessler with the sperm of a man who can barely write his name in the beach sand. Their visit to a sperm bank is definitely a highlight, looking for the dumbest donor on file. Rance Howard shows up as a police detective on the trail of our three heroes after they rescue Quin Kessler. Although I've seen worse, "Wishman" must still be considered nothing more than a bad movie curiosity, watchable mainly because of the great character actor cast. - MERK

This is a peculiar indie movie with a mild story but a strong cast.

Geoffrey Lewis is cast extremely against type (as Wishman, a good genie) and is over the top with round words, round phrases and round hand and arm movements whenever he speaks. A curious, but strangely comical and very likable characterization.

Paul Le Mat is his ever-reliable self (why is Paul not a huge star?) and carries his role off fine, if low key.

And Quin Kessler, who only appeared in a handful of films, is one of the most beautiful women ever to grace the screen with her presence. Her acting here was plenty good enough to earn her other roles, and her fabulous looks should have guaranteed her success.

Add the likes of Paul Gleason, Brion James, Gailard Sartain and Nancy Parsons (Beula Ballbricker to all you PORKY'S fans) and you've got a lot of talent on the screen. Plus the very first ever screen appearances of Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky! The director knew what he wanted, mostly subdued performances, and the actors gave them to him. The effect is odd, but enjoyable.

Wishman is a light little fantasy romance movie, nice in every detail, with a happy ending. You'll end up smiling, and what more can you ask from a couple of hours' pleasant diversion?