Dream Scenario [DVD]

I’ve always enjoyed watching Nicholas Cage, who has proven over the years that he’s versatile enough to play a variety of roles. He has often shown what a brilliant actor he is, and he certainly showcases his acting skills in Dream Scenario. In this movie he plays a bald-headed, mild-mannered rather dull college professor (Paul Matthews). The opening sequence features a rather strange sequence where the professor’s daughter is sitting by a swimming pool when all of a sudden a nearby glass-top table explodes - caused by a bunch of house/car keys falling from high in the sky, this is followed by a shoe also appearing from above and splashing into the pool. While all this is happening, the professor is nonchalantly raking up leaves and seemingly not noticing these dramatic events. It turns out that this is in fact a dream being experienced by the daughter (Sophie) - which she later relates to her father Paul. After that ‘dream’ Paul encounters other folk who have also had dreams in which he appears - usually as a bystander who doesn’t interact with them, or help them if they’re in troublesome situations. However, as more and more people start to have dreams involving Paul, his role in their dreams moves from being a passive bystander to being a malevolent individual. As a result, the way Paul is perceived in real life changes, so he is forced to deal with a notoriety he would rather avoid. To divulge anymore would be unfair, because part of the attraction of this film is in the unpredictability of the story.Some newspaper/magazine reviews suggest that this movie is an hilarious comedy, which I would disagree with. It does have its funny moments mind you, but for the most part I would describe this as being an original, relatively serious drama which is moving and thought-provoking - though also wickedly entertaining! So, would I recommend Dream Scenario - yes, I most certainly would!

I enjoyed this film, though I wouldn't watch it twice. Fair play to Nick Cage who has gone from drop dead gorgeous sex symbol to flatulent, middle-aged lecturer without a trace of self-consciousness.Afterwards I felt compelled to watch 'Con Air' so that I could dribble at the screen/relive my youth.I'm probably not the best person to review Dream Scenario as my interest in Nicholas Cage isn't particularly cerebral. I mean he's a great actor but frankly that's not what I find most interesting about him. Sorry.

Great

I sadly took the description of this film at face value and was badly misled. It is not a comedy never mind ‘comedy gold’ as described. It is extremely violent in parts, disturbing and not the light entertainment I thought I purchased. I would not recommend this film.

A great premise with a solid Nic Cage performance. It didn't live up to its potential.