Lathe of Heaven: James Caan, Lukas Haas, Lisa Bonet, David Strathairn, Sheila McCarthy, Serge Houde, Suzanne Desautels, Belinda Hum, Tetsuro Shigematsu, Jonathan Higgins, Danny Blanco Hall, Conrad Pla, Pierre Mignot, Philip Haas, Allen Sabinson, Bruce Davison, Craig Baumgarten, Mark Winemaker, Alan Sharp, Ursula K. Le Guin: Amazon.ca: Video

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For Ursula Le Guin's devoted following, the 2002 remake of the 1980 film based on her novel may not be the stuff dreams are made of. This new adaptation omits some of the original's most memorable developments (the racially equalized "grays" and the alien invasion). Lucas Haas stars as George Orr, a "little lost boy" haunted by his dreams, which, he claims, alter the present unbeknownst to anyone but him. James Caan (more menacing than was Kevin Conway in the original) costars as the self-promoting Dr. Haber, the therapist assigned to treat the suicidal young man. This "very productive relationship" most benefits Haber, who attempts to manufacture George's dreams "to fit some useful function." The requisite unforeseen consequences ensue. Lisa Bonet is ravishing, but less impressive as George's skeptical public defender who may be the girl of his dreams. The foreboding mood is enhanced by Angelo Badalamenti's score, which recalls his haunting work on Twin Peaks. --Donald Liebenson

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Customer Reviews

33 Reviews

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
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Average Customer Review

1.5 out of 5 stars (33 customer reviews)

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1.0 out of 5 stars Cheap made for television pilot, Jun 6 2007

By

bernie "webviator" (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Lathe of Heaven (DVD)

The basic story is of a person who has effective dreams. This means tat if he dreams something it can become reality. However the results of trying to direct the dream can be negative. Someone assigned to help him ends up using him.

This animal will not get off the ground. They are taking a premise from the book and using it to launch some cheep time trip program similar to "Time Tunnel" or "Quantum Leap." It is not enough to insult people that are familiar with the book, but to think that viewers would not recognize the plot out of old sci-fi movies is insulting to the general public.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Psychological Thriller, Jun 17 2004

By

Kelly Steed "Speculative Fiction Author" (Marion, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lathe of Heaven (DVD)

George Orr (Lucas Haas) has a unique deformity when he dreams they come true. Plagued by this feeling that he used his dreams to send someone away whom he loved very much, he tries to commit suicide. The court remands him to a court appointed therapist Dr. Haber (James Caan). When Orr confesses his belief about his dreams and that he tries to stay awake so that the world won't change, Haber diagnoses Orr as suffering from a delusional psychosis stemming from adolescent sexual abuse creating a phobic reaction to the dream process that causes amnesia and personality distortion.

Through the augmenter, a brain wave monitoring device, Haber gives Orr hypnotic suggestions to control his brain patterns during dreams. Haber discovers Orr is telling the truth and manipulates him to change the world the way he wants, including unleashing a plague to bring down the population.

Nurse Penny (Sheila McCarthy), Dr. Haber's secretary, steps in to put a stop to his medalling once and for all.

The Lathe of Heaven is based on the book by Ursulla K. Le Guin. The movie consists of eight dream sequences and after each the world is changed. Other than Haber and Penny people in Orr's life are rearranged into different social positions. This was an extremely intriguing movie that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how it would all end. For Sci-Fi fans, this is a must see!!!

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4.0 out of 5 stars and again orr, Feb 2 2004

By

Richard A. Murray "plan9revised" (Jonesboro, Ar United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lathe of Heaven (VHS Tape)

since I've read the book once more,read it,this isn't really bad.The actors,Caan especially,are.up to the work.The actor playing Orr was flat.Bonet was very good and beautiful(don't hold it against her),but was "unequally yoked"with the Orr presented on this version of the story.I would recommend it,but suggest reading the book,one of the best sf novels of all time.You might enjoy the PBS original more if you've seen this first,like me.The first is far superior.My biggest complaint is that,in tackling a great story,the film settled for too little orr.

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Most recent customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Negative stars needed!
Bears no resemblance to Le Guin's terrific novel, or the earlier faithful and excellent adaptation. Those responsible for producing this version should not be allowed to work in... Read more

Published on Jan 29 2004 by Patrick T. Cassidy

4.0 out of 5 stars not bad remake/update, decent performance, other was better
This update remake of the Ursula LeGuin science fiction classic,
has half way decent performances, but it's hardly as good as the
original, it's been toned down a bit,... Read more

Published on Oct 27 2003 by Michael D. Chlanda