Just a Dream

"Just a Dream" is a slow moving, soft spoken sentimental tale from Showtime about one boy's special summer and the lessons he learns. The obvious scripting, theatrical flavor, and Pollyanna attitude of the flick is easily overlooked in view of its higher purpose as it spins its wistful story delivering positive messages about life. Good old fashioned back-to-basics family entertainment which should be about PG rated. (B-)

young boy finds himself struggling with his youthful innocence and the sins of adulthood. His father, (Robbie Benson), and his mother, (Ally Sheedy) have a relationship that is falling apart. Benson is the town doctor and apparently he has a few activities on the side that take him away from his family. In search of a father figure the young boy befriends an African American man who has a crush on Marilyn Monroe and a Native American bartender who offers up a bit of wise advice and hope every now and then. Both men teach the boy about life and the struggles of right and wrong. Another influence in the boy's life is a strong woman (Amy Madigan) who owns the bar that the boy works for. Surrounded by the arms of these unlikely friends the boy grows into a wise and happy soul. The writing is well done and most of the characters rich with meaning.

The best part of this film has to do with the fantasy as it revolves around Marilyn Monroe. The dreams of the characters seem somehow distant and unobtainable, just like those in reality, but when some dreams finally come true the scenes are absolutely touching. This film is a true sleeper, lost somehow in the shuffle but well worth its weight in gold. The story is inspirational in a softly portrayed way showing us that sometimes life is more than just another dream.

The trouble with Just a Dream is that it doesn't really know what message it is trying to send and so it doesn't end up sending any. It skirts around themes of family tensions, racial prejudice, unfaithful and distant fathers and more, without really focusing in on any of them. Either one could have been the central theme of this movie and we would have ended up with a more interesting movie, albeit a very unoriginal one. Instead this movie focuses on fulfilling dreams, but it doesn't really do that with any real conviction. You won't be moved, chastened or inspired at all.

Another problem is that the actors in this movie are just 'phoning it in'. None of them seem to have their heart in it at all. The exception is young Jeremy Sumpter who comes across as genuine and believable in his role. This is a movie crying out for gifted character actors. Instead we have a lot of people whose careers are well past their prime, acting in roles that require someone of far greater talent.

Just a Dream is not a bad film, just an ordinary one. There's nothing here to offend anyone, but there's nothing to excite either. Watch it then forget it.