- Director: Neil Jordan
- AMG Rating:
- Genre: Thriller
- Movie Type: Supernatural Thriller, Psychological Thriller
- Themes: Psychic Abilities, Serial Killers
- Main Cast: Annette Bening, Aidan Quinn, Robert Downey, Jr., Paul Guilfoyle, Dennis Boutsikaris, Stephen Rea
- Release Year: 1999
- Country: US
- Run Time: 120 minutes
- MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Claire Cooper (Annette Bening), has been having psychic visions all of her life, though she's never been clear of what they mean. Now an adult, she lives an idyllic, small-town life in a Massachusetts farmhouse with her airline-pilot husband Paul (Aidan Quinn) and her young daughter Rebecca (Katie Sagona), while Claire illustrates children's books. A psychopath (Robert Downey Jr.) has been kidnapping young girls in their area, and one is currently missing. Claire has a recurring dream about the killer walking with a girl through an apple orchard. Paul tells police detective Jack Kay (Paul Guilfoyle), who doesn't believe him, as the girl's body had been found at the bottom of the lake. Claire's vision was actually a premonition, starting a chain of events that would create a two-way link to the killer. The key to the mystery is the lake itself, of which Claire dreams, created when the old town of Northfield was flooded to make a reservoir. As her psychiatrist Dr. Silverman (Stephen Rea) does not understand her now waking dreams, Claire alone must now lose herself to the visions. She must relive the killer's memories to find his identity and location. Director Neil Jordan has explored the nature of dreams in a more Freudian manner in his Company of Wolves. ~ Ron Wells, All Movie GuideReview
In Dreams is a mildly suspenseful but disjointed thriller by Irish director Neil Jordan (Interview With the Vampire). While the David Lynch-inspired technique helps create a nightmarish atmosphere, the film is held back by bland writing and a muddled narrative. Although Annette Bening gives a skillful performance, her character is so underdeveloped that it's difficult to sympathize with her. The film begins promisingly, but a series of unbelievable coincidences and contrivances devalue the story line. There are still many effective scenes, however, including beautifully shot sequences of an underwater ghost town. Due to the talented cast and crew, viewers may expect an intelligent and innovative thriller, but the formulaic film uses the typical horror movie strategies. There are some truly stunning visuals, but the movie still lacks emotion and mystery thanks to Jordan and Bruce Robinson's bland screenplay. Ultimately, In Dreams is The Exorcist meets A Nightmare on Elm Street, but it simply lacks a new and terrifying take on the dream/reality premise.~ Adam Goldberg, All Movie Guide
Cast
- Annette Bening - Claire Cooper
- Aidan Quinn - Paul Cooper
- Robert Downey, Jr. - Vivian Thompson
- Paul Guilfoyle - Detective Jack Kay
- Dennis Boutsikaris - Dr. Stevens
- Stephen Rea - Dr. Silverman
