Neil Jordan's "In Dreams" is a tragic example of a good idea gone wrong. For the first 60 minutes, the film is impeccable. Its confident cinematography superbly illustrates an innocent mother's twisted dream world, which she ultimately shares with a cold blooded killer. This second dimension is engulfed with red, juicy apple orchards, wild scenery, and a mysterious, disturbing voice that whispers in the night. Through this dream world, Claire Cooper (Annette Benning) witnesses several murders, only to become terrified beyond her imagination when she discovers that these dreams are testimony to the future crimes of her small town.
Unfortunately for Neil Jordan, this is where the film takes a discouraging turn for the worst. The cinematography and established mood that made the movie so fascinating to this point, essentially vanishes into thin air. We are introduced to the disturbed Vivian Thompson (Robert Downey, Jr.), a serial killer who kidnaps a young girl and summons Claire to save her life and end the madness. The remainder of the movie is spent analyzing the crooked mind of a young boy trying to fabricate a family life that never existed. Finally, the film is quickly put to rest through a weak helicopter chase that ends in tragedy.
The movie had great potential, including a solid storyline and impressive imagery. Regrettably, the closing scenes with Vivian and Claire ruin its karma and ultimately, the entire film suffers the consequenses.
Unfortunately for Neil Jordan, this is where the film takes a discouraging turn for the worst. The cinematography and established mood that made the movie so fascinating to this point, essentially vanishes into thin air. We are introduced to the disturbed Vivian Thompson (Robert Downey, Jr.), a serial killer who kidnaps a young girl and summons Claire to save her life and end the madness. The remainder of the movie is spent analyzing the crooked mind of a young boy trying to fabricate a family life that never existed. Finally, the film is quickly put to rest through a weak helicopter chase that ends in tragedy.
The movie had great potential, including a solid storyline and impressive imagery. Regrettably, the closing scenes with Vivian and Claire ruin its karma and ultimately, the entire film suffers the consequenses.