Have Dreams, Will Travel

This film is the tale of twelve year old Benjamen Reynolds who is neglected by his parents meets a girl named Cassie after her parents die in a car wreck. Upon becoming friends Cassie convinces Ben to run away with her to Baltimore to meet her Aunt and Uncle, all the while Cassie hides a secret about the car wreck.

That is the basic plot line of Have Dreams, Will Travel but this movie is anything but basic, it is magnificent magical and heartbreaking all at the same time. Heather Grahm and Val Kilmer are great in the small roles they have but none other is better then the stars Cayden Boyd and AnnaSophia Robb.

AnnaSophia Robb has proved herself time and again as being a capable actress in such films as Bridge to Terabithia and The Reaping. Here is no different; her portrayal of Cassie is Oscar worthy.

Cayden Boyd only notable role in the film industry prior to this is young angel in X-Men 3 The Last Stand, and he has proved himself in this movie to be a fresh new addition to the next generation of actors.

Have Dreams, Will Travel is in a genre all its own its not a love story NOT a children's movie not a drama, not an adventure. It is a piece of art crafted by a brilliant team of writers actors and directors.

Have Dreams, Will Travel, will indeed travel far this film is grand delightful and truthful of the ugliness of the world.

In the 60's, in West Texas, twelve year-old Ben (Cayden Boyd) is a boy neglected by his parents. His mother (Lara Flynn Boyle) is obsessed by the movie stars of Hollywood and every afternoon she goes to the movie theater, while his father spends his spare time building a boat. One night, there is a car wreck in front of Ben's parents dining where only the girl Cassie (AnnaSophia Robb) survives with a broken arm. Ben's parents lodges Cassie during her recovery and she becomes friend of Ben. Later the mature girl convinces Ben to travel with her to Baltimore, where her modern and liberal aunt (Heather Graham) and uncle (Dylan McDermott) live. They hitchhike through Arkansas, Kentucky and Virginia in a journey of friendship and discoveries until they reach Baltimore. Their adventure ends when Cassie has a breakdown and is interned in the Mercy Psychiatric Ward in Virginia and Ben joins the Military Academy in North Caroline to stay close to Cassie. But the girl had a plan for them and Ben gives his best effort to make her dream come true.

One of these days I saw the trailer of "Have Dreams, Will Travel" and I liked it so much that I bought the DVD. I have just watched this sweet and touching road movie and I really loved the story, the screenplay, the performances and the direction. I do not know whether it is intentional or not, but there are many scenes of the camera against the light creating dark images that I did not like. AnnaSophia Robb is amazing, with another awesome performance in a complex role. Cayden Boyd is also fantastic in the difficult role of Ben. Val Kilmer has a minor participation, but I believe this is his best interpretation and role in the last years. The secret of Cassie is a heartbreaking moment in the plot and the conclusion is very beautiful. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Em Busca da Felicidade" ("Searching Happiness")

There are many films that are like this on first impression. Road trips and coming of age stories have become, for the most part, worn out genres in Hollywood. But sometimes a little gem like this one will slip through the cracks.

The story is simple: boy and girl meet up, travel the road together, meet some colourful characters, unforeseen tragedy strikes, all leading to a bitter-sweet ending. It's all been done many times before. But not like this. I don't mean to say that this is the best road trip/coming of age film, simply that it is unique in it's style and visual look.

Despite the fact that it came out in 2007, this movie has the look of a film from the sixties or seventies. The camera quality is not very good, and the whole picture feels tinged with some sepia (?) colouring.

It feels almost as if it were made unprofessionally, though the appearance of notable actors like Val Kilmer, Heather Graham, and AnnaSophia Robb suggests otherwise.

In short, it looks like it was filmed by the same camera that did Birdemic. But perhaps the most endearing quality to this film is it's slightly amateurish look.

It seems like it should be either a complete sentimental schlock-fest , or a no budget trashy direct to video.

But it isn't.

It succeeds on several levels emotionally, and provides characters we grow to care for. If you can get past the grainy visuals you will find a story of surprising depth.

The story stretches between a girl & a boy alongside facing life's forthgivings. The cast, story-line and emotional attachments to the characters are mag magnified and well filled.

Unpopular opinion; Feels somewhat like bridge to terabithia..2! Why anna sophia robb keep appering in these kinda stories, gosh.

Had this one on my list for what it feels like eternity. This movie has 4 different titles!!! So to spare people time you will find it on youtube and that will be the only source you will find.

I am glad I could watch it now. It is a very sweet story about loss, parenthood, hopes and dreams. This movie will captivate you with two things.

One is the story that is just very well written and just when you think it get's a little dull and repepetive it will add another layer that gives it much more depth and it is no spoiler to say that a lot of things will come full circle at the end.

Second thing that is captivating is AnnaSophia Robb. Her performances in two more recent films where the reason I found this diamond in the first place. There are no superlatives to describe how incredible she is here back when she was 13 years old. She carries this movie with her performance. There is a wide range of emotions that she has to show her and she delivers every time. An incredbile talent.

Go watch this rare diamond of a movie and eventhough it is unlikely let's hope that somebody converts this to HD to have it on a bluray or on a streaming service.