User reviews

A charming little movie, made just around the time "Friends" (and Jennifer Aniston) were becoming huge.

Jennifer Aniston, sporting her then famous 'The Rachel' haircut, is good in a supporting role; but it is Ione Skye that really shines.

A lovely, independent little romantic comedy drama, that managed to find a place in my heart (I know - aw shucks and all that).

Favourite line, issued by Ione Skye after the guy of her dreams has given her a cup of hot milk to help her slip (paraphrase): "You're not going to make me drink any more warm white fluids ... are you?!"

WICKED!

I just watched About a Boy; a movie about a man living off his father's singular hit. Do we have the same thing here? Writer/director Tiffanie DeBartolo only did this one film. It is a good one, and I can't understand why there has been no followup.

It may have been a little corny at times - a search for a may with the eyes and soul of Sinatra, but Ione Skye (Girls in Prison, Guncrazy, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon) does a really great job as the dreamer that doesn't want to settle. As she says, "Pussy, pussy, pussy. pussy. We're all pussies. It's what we have to overcome in life, our pussiness." So true! It was also the best performance I have seen by Jennifer Aniston outside of "Friends." Maybe it was because she did it during the "Friends" period.

It was a cute movie, a little corny at times, but well worth watching.

Dream for an Insomniac is not a bad movie, nor is it a particularly good one. Writer/Director DeBartolo in her first attempt at doing either produces a film that has bright moments, a few good ideas, very little meaningful dialogue, and some moderately entertaining scenes.

The black-and-white to color transition when Frankie first meets David Schrader is perhaps the most metaphorical and artistic achievement this movie makes. It is unfortunate that it is neither touching as a metaphor nor very artistic.

The majority of the film centers around the interplay between Frankie and David. The interaction between the characters is labored and unbelievable, the dialogue being little more than witty banter and archaic quotes swapped back and forth. If DeBartolo had any intentions of the audience empathizing with the characters she failed to write them in such a way to elicit such empathy. Frankie remains reminiscent of a love-struck schoolgirl throughout the film, a glutton for punishment, while David Schrader feels two-faced, reluctant to leave his girlfriend but quite friendly and flirtatious with Frankie, who is quite obviously in love with him. If these characters existed in the real world, they would both seem too neurotic, emotionally unstable, needy, and self-centered to spend time getting to know. And yet in spite of this, DeBartolo manages to put together a film that is not terrible.

Aniston's character, an aspiring actress who speaks in false accents during conversations to become believable in them, provides a solid supporting character that is much needed throughout the film. Juice, the slacker musician, finds his way on screen just about exactly when some comic relief is due. Some of the conversations, especially the one concerning the Holy Trinity of rock and roll, seem similar to something that could actually be heard in the real world, or at least the world of Generation X. And the subplot of Rob, the coffee-shop waiter reluctant to tell his father that he is a practicing homosexual, is actually quite endearing and entertaining.

Dream for an Insomniac would have been a much better film had DeBartolo stepped down the massive intellectual undertones running rampant in the dialogue, given both main characters a healthy dose of Prozac, and focused on the basic but meaningful theme of romance in the 90s instead of showing off her obviously impressive knowledge of memorable quotes through her characters. If anything less than extraordinary is a waste of your time, then so is Dream for an Insomniac. If, however, you are willing to settle for a decent first attempt at a movie by a newcomer to writing and directing, lay down a couple of bucks for this film at your local video store.

I'll admit that amongst my rabid obsession with horror films and morbid dramas, lies a deep love for witty romance films.

I loved this one.

The dialogue and characterization was surprisingly well done, and the story, although old, was played out well.

The cast was excellent, too. Ione Skye is so beautiful, and very talented. She played the lonely girl perfectly. I cannot imagine a better actress for her part...her eyes said something to me while watching, as did her heart and soul she put into this role. Jennifer Aniston, whom I'm not a big fan of, was actually well written, and her knack for switching accents though out the film was quite funny. The standout character was David, played by Mackenzie Astin.

He's a nice guy, plain and simple. His dialogue was witty, charming, and never went over the pretentious mark. His character actually meant something to me, and for once, I agreed with his role. I think he has a bright future ahead of him, and I even think he is a better actor than his older sibling, Sean.

I loved the romance that built between David and Frankie. Even though we have seen this kind of mushy clap trap on screen several times before, it just seemed to work differently here.

Overall, this is a surprisingly sweet, well acted and non-pretentious romance film that deserves more recognition.

I loved it, very much.

While not without its faults, this is a pretty watchable little film. The characters and situations are quite unusual and there are some enjoyable scenes and generally witty dialogue. The idea of a young woman who is the romantic pursuer is refreshing in itself and the two leads are appealing. Occasionally the film is bogged down with trying to be a bit too clever and 'post-modern' but, hey, it's a first feature.

Of particular interest is Jennifer Aniston in a supporting role... She is wonderful and very convincing - the character is a lot more sassy and realistic than you'd expect from Aniston. Her film career would really take off if she started doing some more interesting films (as with Lisa Kudrow in THE OPPOSITE OF SEX).

The film opens with Ione Skye's character, Frankie, dressed up in pearls like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. She is on a date, and reeling off a tedious string of reasons why she will never settle for anything less than extraordinary and passionate love--as if she were the first person to ever come up with the idea. Unfortunately Skye does not have Hepburn's acting skills; and despite Frankie's retro-style wardrobe and naive romanticism it is not 1961.

"Dream..." is perhaps better viewed as a follow-up to the John Cusack vehicle "Say Anything," in which Skye played the part of the female love interest; here the girl is the protagonist in love and the male is the love object, a refreshing turn. However, Frankie is in her mid-20's, not in high school, and her ideas of love seem more than a little immature. In fact, her entire character seems that of the sheltered, spoiled rich girl who has an extensive wardrobe, goes to work when she feels like it, talks like someone who went to an expensive prep school or college, and whose me-first, out-of-touch-with-reality mode of thought is typical of someone who has lived a very sheltered life. These don't ring true at all with the details of her life: both her parents dead from a young age, she lives in an efficiency flat above her uncle's coffee shop, where she also works.

Apparently, the writer/director Tiffany (coincidence?) DeBartolo has included many autobiographical details in this, her debut film. The credits thank the "real David Schroeder (you know who you are)", the character name of Frankie's love interest. A further look reveals that a photo of her "Eddie and Candy DeBartolo" is used for the scene where Frankie reminisces about her mom and dad before they died in a car wreck. Is Tiffany the daughter of former San Francisco 49'ers owner (and former mob-affiliated federal witness in the recent corruption trial against Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards) Eddie DeBartolo? If so, that would explain many things: (1) the spoiled rich girl attitudes of the protagonist; (2) the setting of San Francisco and the gratuitous references to the 49'ers; (3) the Frank Sinatra and Italian-American themes in the film; and (4) how a novice writer got to direct her own film starring Ione Skye and Jennifer Aniston.

I won't say that this movie is completely unappealing. Were my objections to the film solely based upon the naive, unrealistic expectations and attitudes of the lead characters, it could still be a good film. However, the pretentious script is like Woody Allen without the wit, accessibility, or acting -- and the intellectual overtones seem to be there only to the benefit of the screenwriter's self-esteem (at no point does it challenge the viewer to ponder any of its motifs). Aniston pulls her character off as well as the script and direction will allow, some of the supporting characters are somewhat entertaining, but Skye's overwrought performance is excruciatingly painful.

What really sinks this film is the unbearable weight of quotations that Frankie and David use. Both characters rely on quoting famous people -- from Aristotle to Morrissey -- to express the way they feel. This might be cute used once or twice, Frankie can't seem to go a minute in the film without seeming like she's reading from Bartlett's quotations. This, of course, does nothing at all for character development.

The movie changes from "artistic" black-and-white to color when Frankie meets David, and this is one of the cheesiest, blatant cinematic effects I have ever seen. Fortunately, the director doesn't have any more tricks like this in her bag.

Finally, the love story itself is probably going to invoke the "gag me with a spoon" response to most people who have ever actually been in an amorous relationship. The film suggests, naively, that Real Love happens at first sight and is about absolute passion between two soulmates ideally suited to each other, and any compromise on behalf of either party is a sign of the relationship's inadequacy. Of course the film ends at a convenient moment, and the nature of compromise never has to be explored. Like many adolescent romantic films, it is more about being in love with the idea of being in love, than any real exploration of love itself.

This a truly fine romantic comedy about a girl who has given up on finding Mr right just as he enters her life in a marvelous scene where the movie (and her life) changes from grey to color. it doesn't have side splitting laughs, and at some points it gets to be a little talky, but those moments pass fast. It makes you smile all the way through and feel good, seeing true romance happen in front of you, with interesting characters, good acting, mostly engaging dialogue, and a fine direction from a first time director. cynics and people who over analyze films won't like this movie, but for all the rest, for the romantics, for the dreamers, and for those who believe that a story doesn't have to be 100 percent realistic but good, this film is recommended. try and watch it with someone you love.

Picky Frankie (Ione Skye) can't find a good man. She has trouble sleeping since she lost her parents. She works at a coffee shop for her uncle Leo (Seymour Cassel). His son Rob (Michael Landes) can't come out of the closet to him, and tells him he's dating Frankie's friend Allison (Jennifer Aniston). The movie starts in black and white until Frankie meets new employee aspiring writer David (Mackenzie Astin). Frankie falls for him but he already has a girlfriend.

This is a standard rom-com with some interesting writing from Tiffanie DeBartolo. This is her first and apparently only work which is interesting in itself. It certainly has potential although she needs help with the directing. The biggest problem is the male lead Mackenzie Astin. He's not compelling enough to lead a rom-com. Ione Skye is fine. Her biggest contribution is her giant smile. Jennifer Aniston does a good job, but her star power almost overshadows everybody. Good first try for DeBartolo but sadly no second try.

This is a great film: witty, charming, well-acted and wonderfully written. The characters are all played to perfection by an array of very talented young actors (especially MacKenzie Astin, who plays David). It has the perfect mixture of laughter and sorrow, sweetness and elegance. I particularly like this film because it relies on dialogue, characterization , and cinematography, three primary elements in filmmaking which have recently hidden themselves behind special effects, poor attempts at acting by egotistical actors, and weak plotlines like those of a dimestore romance novel. However, this film has a tight, entertaining plot, a cast of excellent actors, a wonderful cinematographer, and last but not least, heart.

The real star of this movie is Jennifer Aniston's hair. This is the famous hairdo that first made Jennifer famous on Friends. In every scene Jennifer's hair upstages the action & dialogue. She also makes the nominal star Ione Skye look positively mousey. Jennifer's hair is BIG & she shakes it, fingers it, moves it, adjusts it - Jennifer ACTS with her hair. In every scene she is in the only thing you notice is Jennifer's hair. Also note that the musical score includes not one but two offerings from Frank Sinatra JUNIOR if you need any further proof that this is a B effort.

Unlike the other review for this film, I completely enjoyed this movie. From it's wonderful dialog to it's wonderful storyline. It's very rare to find an Indie Romantic Comedy that is this good, and I'd consider myself a pro on romantic comedies. It's my favorite genre, and Dream For An Insomniac is easily in my top 10 favorite Romantic Comedies of all time.

In San Francisco, Frankie (Ione Skye) is a dreamer aspiring to be an actress. She has been insomniac for seventeen years, since she lost her parents in a car accident. She was raised by her uncle Leo (Seymor Cassel) and works in his bar, and both are great fans of Frank Sinatra. Her cousin Rob is gay, but afraid to assume his sexual option to his father Leo. Her best friend is Allison (Jennifer Aniston), who is also an aspirant of actress. Frankie and Allison will move in a couple of days to New York. The new-hire David Shrader (Mackenzie Astin) is a blocked writer who is not able to write anything new, and Frankie has a crush on him. However, David has a girl-friend (Molly) for three years, loves her and is faithful to her. Frankie tries to seduce her twin-soul David anyway. The name of this movie could be: `How to Steal Molly's Boy-Friend in Ninety Minutes'. The story is very talky and full of citations, but it has not convinced me. I found it very silly. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): `Alma de Poeta, Olhos de Sinatra' (`Soul of Poet, Eyes of Sinatra')

While the acting gets a little corny at times, the vibe is definitely prevalent in this movie. It's got a good feeling. Simple plot, easy to follow, and while some of the time I found myself looking at my shoes, I was drawn into it. By the time Frankie meets David, I was hooked. The beginning is a little slow, and that's lethal for those out there with ADD. But I know for sure that myself as well as most of my friends have wished for the type of relationship Frankie and David have in this flick. You have seen the physical dramas where the girl is kidnapped and needs rescuing, and you've seen the emotional dramas where the girl is in the abusive relationship and he saves her from it and you've seen the really far-fetched movies where there's some kind of Monster/ Cyborg/ Evil Psycho trying to Kill/ Maim/ Eat her and the lead male saves her from it, but rarely, if ever, do you see one of these well-written, not so surreal movies wherein the girl wears real clothes, people make mistakes, and things are sometimes awkward. On purpose.

It's refreshing to see, even if it means getting corny at times. There are few ways around cornball moments in life. Making life into film or even the dream of life and avoiding them is near impossible.

Personally, I'd recommend this movie to anyone looking for a serious, rewarding, real-life type fictional romance. Give it a chance. See the whole thing. And don't you DARE look at your shoes.

Too bad Jennifer Aniston wasn't the "girl" in the movie. Maybe there would've been more chemistry between Frankie and David Schrader. As it is, nothing could convince me that Ione Skye and MacKenzie Astin even liked each other much, let alone fell madly in love. On that note, this movie misses, and it's too bad because the promise was a good one. Just didn't fulfill.

A cast of "hip" young actors - no, wait, I should also put quotes around "actors" - ham their way unconvincingly through what is at bottom no more than a boy-meets-girl, girl-likes-boy, boy-plays-hard-to-get, girl-gets-boy story. The characterisation of the two quote-buff literary romantic leads is creaky and unconvincing, while Jennifer Aniston is cringe-making as she puts on her fake Irish or Southern or Canadian accents. Some of the most turgid scenes leave the impression of the cast groping for the script, for what was *supposed* to be funny or interesting in the scene, and sound more like readings or rehearsals than actual takes. The invocation of Frank Sinatra as a unifying theme is wearyingly trite, not to mention the invocation of more present-day cultural icons in the "voice of a generation" scene, which was positively embarrassing. The *very worst* scene in the film is the one in which boy does in fact meet girl, in which all the stops are pulled out - the shot, which is in black and white, goes into slow motion as "David" enters the coffee shop, then, when the eyelines meet, there is a transition to color, starting with his eyes, which are of course blue. I felt physically sick. Of course, you might like it.

Captivating from beginning to end, this romantic comedy will woo language-lovers everywhere. A swift kick to the intellect, with a sugary-sweet story on the side. Quick dialogue, a solid cast, an almost surrealistic atmosphere and one of the most fitting soundtracks of the decade. There's little to complain about, maybe a few lines here and there that I believe could've been excluded from the script, but nothing detrimental to the over-all feel of the film.

What I love most about the movie (aside from the obvious eye-candy of it being filmed both in black & white and color) was its undeniable originality. Of all the romance I've seen, this remains one of my absolute favorites. And it was the tiny little details that made it so. This woman did her homework, and she's delivered it with style.

Favorite Lines:

"My grandmother used to call it a fi-fi. I mean, isn't that nice? A fi-fi?"

"Never settle for anything less than extraordinary. Because, if you do, life will suck..."

"Come on, would you want to do it with someone whose last name is the worst day of the week?"

This movie is worth watching at least several times.

The characters are all very likeable, intelligent, worth listening to, aside from being mentally, emotionally (maybe semi), & physically attractive. Being a human being ain't so bad.

The movie's writer does an excellent job writing an interesting movie with some great, quotable, laugh real loud oneliners. It is a variation of the standard boy meets girl love story depicted well enough to be entertaining throughout. The ending is slightly weak but passes quickly enough to do no damage.

At at its end, you (i.e. me) are left with a feel good feeling, a little buzz, & overall happier. It's a throwback to movies in the old days that were watchable & a viewing pleasure.

I admit I was a bit worried about seeing this film...lets face it, the cast alone sent out warning flares...An 80's teen movie star, Rachel from 'Friends' and some guy who happened to be the brother of another 80's teen movie star!! I cringed at the thought when a friend wanted to hire the movie, but I thought 'what the hey, you only live once'. And am I glad I hired it or what?? Ione Skye was perfect as Frankie, Mackenzie Astin is gorgeous as David, and don't let me forget their chemistry - they're perfect together....and I'm not forgetting Jennifer Aniston, who proved she could shake off her Rachel stigma and become someone completely different. But it's not just the cast, the story is completely fresh, the music is fabulous and I got enough memorable quotes to last me a lifetime!! This movie is a must see, for anybody who believes in love, destiny and waiting for Mr Right.

This would have been an OK student first film. I found the dialog to be wooden, the acting self conscious and the production stagey. But then, what do I know? It appears that most people liked it. Maybe you have to be under 30 to appreciate it. One plus ... the actors are very good looking...

What a thoroughly juvenile screenplay - not a single believable moment. Somewhere there may be people who talk like this. I pray that I never meet them.

this isn't the best movie i have seen nor is it the worst. i kind of like the scene where Frank has just served a customer, then came David Shraeder. the effect from being Black and White to color was amazing.

i particularly loved that part. and also in the first part, where Frankie was having a "monologue" conversation with a brown-eyed lawyer.

since i enjoy the music of Frank Sinatra, i found this movie entertaining. the concept of the coffee shop was wonderful and the wonderful Jennifer Aniston strikes it again. if you're looking for a good movie filled with meaningful dialogues and a bit of Frank Sinatra, then this is for you.

What an annoying, sophomoric, whining, pseudo-intellectual, Gen-X, piece of blech.