Moviecut—Dream No Evil

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source: Dream No Evil

Dream No Evil

I wanted to like this film more than I did. Sadly, the grindhouse filmmaking missed more opportunities than it took. Brooke Mills carries this little film with her mesmerizing beauty. I simply could not take my eyes off her. Her performance is good, as is that of Edmond O'Brien as her father. But although the basics of a decent story are there, the script left so little to work with that they relied upon her mere presence onscreen. Great as that may be, it simply is not enough. This film is a fun diversion and time capsule of the early 70s. Enjoy it for what it is, and try to overlook a weak script and journeyman directing that failed to deliver on what could have been.

This was one weird film. I recall seeing it on late-night TV as a kid, and then I rented it when I was in college. At least there are some decent actors in the cast (including Lawrence, who's slimier than a sack of snails). Worth a look on a slow evening.

If David Byrne made a movie combining elements of European art cinema, Southern Gothic, a dash of Polansky, principles of Bertolt Brecht's estrangement effect, Eraserhead, and Irish Ceili Dancing, it would be this movie. It has to be seen to be believed. And be seen it must. I'm not kidding. You have to see this movie. Tubi is your friend. Dream No Evil is made with such earnestness that you can't help but admire it. It's not a horror movie so much as a psychological drama with psychokiller elements (speaking of David Byrne). If you are a fan of bizarre, surreal, or just wackadoodle cinema, put this one at the top of your list. I understand the negative reviews, but if you don't take it too seriously this is a very entertaining movie.

The DVD of this movie that was released as part of the Psychotronica collection encourages you to mock this movie. And heck you can mock it if you want to, I'm not here to judge how you view movies. I am here however, to tell you whether or not I liked it and why. So yeah, I liked this movie. Why? Well, Brooke Mills is worth watching no matter what she is doing for one. What she's doing here is giving it her all to play a seriously screwed up woman in search of her father. Good stuff indeed. Another reason I enjoyed this flick is that it is one of those low budget wonders where everything seems to take place in some weird uncharted part of America where everything is just a little off. Some people call that schlock, I call it home. So watch Dream No Evil or don't, it makes no difference to me. If you do watch it I think you'll like it.

DREAM NO EVIL is the perfect example of regional, independent features being far more interesting than Hollywood films from the same age. When studios and producer moguls get involved in a film, they ask questions. "Where are these people? How does any of this advance the plot? Why are they doing an Irish jig now?" DREAM NO EVIL doesn't want to answer those questions, steadfastly refuses to, and is all the more interesting because of it. Notice I say "more interesting" and not "better": this misses the majority of shots it takes, the narration eviscerates the mood, and the shots and performance are stilted. But an undeniable charm still radiates, as long as you're into this kind of thing. Could work as the B-side of LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH or MESSIAH OF EVIL for a double feature of outside-reality Americana horror.