Johnny Depp, Jerry Lewis, Faye Dunaway

In a surrealistic setting, a small town in America deals with issues of the American psyche.

Flixster Users

84% liked it

20,941 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

14 critics

R, 2 hrs. 22 min.

Directed by: Emir Kusturica

Release Date: January 6, 1993

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Flixster Reviews (915)


  • May 18, 2008
    "Whenever I try to remember my dreams, I always turn 'em into stories. But dreams are like life. You can't catch it with your hands because you can't catch something you don't really see. If you believe in your dreams, you could be sure that any force, a tornado, a volcano or ...( read more)a typhoon, wouldn't be able to knock you out of love; because love exists on its own."


    Arizona Dream is an example of a surrealistic film done to perfection. The film is a potent tale of life and the danger of dreams with the backdrop of an otherworldly, bizarre setting. This isn't your customary Hollywood spectacle with guns and explosions - far from it. Its entertainment value is drawn from the powerful drama and the extraordinary performances. The outcome is emblematic, distinctive and very special.


    It's an especially daunting task to describe the plot of the film in any real detail without spoiling anything. To follow the movie it's imperative that you listen intimately to the dialogue and constantly endeavour to comprehend what is happening in each scene.


    Axel Blackmar (Depp) is an unusual young man who dreams of peculiar images. In the opening sequence he dreams of an Eskimo who catches a rare halibut to bring back to the family igloo. This prominent image of a halibut is recurring throughout the movie; in a sense carrying each scene symbolically. Axel provides an income for himself by catching and tagging fish. Taking a break from his regular life, he leaves to attend the wedding of his Uncle Leo (Lewis). Leo is so caught up in his own world that he believes Axel will take over his family business of selling Cadillacs. However Axel is an individual responsible for his own destiny: this is something that Leo is too stubborn and narrow-minded to understand. While at Leo's wedding Axel meets a young girl named Grace (Taylor) and her step-mother Elaine (Dunaway).


    Arizona Dream is then a story about the difficult lives of several people. In addition to the aforementioned protagonists there is also a wannabe actor named Paul (Gallo) who's also obsessed with films (one of Paul's most memorable scenes is when he's mimicking the famous scene from Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest). The spiritual journey of each character is rich in surrealistic imagery and fascinating drama. Be it building a flying machine, wishing to be reincarnated as a turtle or becoming an actor; each character has their own unique journey to accomplish.


    I can't stress this enough: if you're going to watch a movie like this with the expectations of something blatant and wholly complete, stay far away. Arizona Dream is exactly what the title suggests: something dreamlike and bizarre. The themes explored are mature and adult. Hence this is not for people who expect some Hollywood action exhibition.


    The film is also carried by the determined cast. I will watch anything with Johnny Depp in it - this is a fact and the sole reason I watched the film. I don't think I've ever seen a character that Johnny hasn't played to perfection. Here, he completely nails his role. It's impossible to spot flaws in his concentration or sustaining a developed character for the film's running time. Fay Dunaway is visibly aging, but this does not prevent her from presenting the audience with a remarkable portrayal. Whenever someone thinks of Jerry Lewis it's instinct to recall his rise to stardom during the 60s and 70s. Playing in a drama, Lewis also does a magnificent job.


    I couldn't have chosen better actors to fill the supporting cast. The actors especially test their versatility during the most memorable scene in the movie - that is, a dinner scene. The cherry on top is everything else present in the film - strong direction, beautiful music and outstanding use of the camera. The music emphatically scores top marks! It's definitely the film's main strength. Each piece of music is absolutely beautiful. Some of the recurring music is catchy and adds further meaning to the production. The music here is the pinnacle of perfection.


    Arizona Dream is a unique production that is strictly for those whose attention spans aren't limited to the conventional fast-paced Hollywood rubbish. If action films are your interest I recommend giving this one a skip. If you're willing to spend 135 minutes of your time on a potent drama rich in symbolism and beautiful, poetic themes then this one is highly recommended.

  • August 20, 2007
    "I'm not going to die. I'm going to live forever until one day I wake up, and i'm a turtle." =)
  • October 22, 2009
    Hey everyone is a dreamer!
  • October 18, 2009
    This movie written and directed by Emir Kusterica(twice, Cannes Palm d'Or winner), is both entertaining, and thought provoking! The acting by a well-seasoned and tight-knit cast is notable throughout. Even Jerry Lewis, as the uncle, is pitch perfect. This is one you will remem...( read more)ber, and probably want to
    experience more than once.
  • October 17, 2009
    May be a critic pleaser but didn't certanly please me. It was like watching an asylum full of people and feeling sorry for them all the time.
  • October 4, 2009
    some how i missed this one 2
  • September 3, 2009
    Un meraviglioso Johnny depp per un film che è tutto Kusturica. ci sono gli animali, donne un pò fuori che cantano, l'amore per la vita, l'icomprensibilità di questa cosa stupenda che è la vita. e poi c'è bregovic e iggy pop che cantano quella stupenda canzone su quelle scene al p...( read more)olo nord. =)

    [la cosa strana è che per tutto il film, non appena scoperto il terribile rapporto che lega le due donne protagoniste, mi sono iniziata a chiedere quando le loro strade si sarebbero divise. ebbene nessuno dei protagoniisti proporrà quella che sembrerebbe, a ragion di logica, la soluzione migliore per entrambe. perchè questo è kusturica, kusturica c'è dentro alla vita, con tutti i suoi incomprensibili legami, affetti, dolori, amori.]
  • August 23, 2009
    I have absolutely no clue as to what everyone sees in this film. It is dumb and ridiculous, totally stupid. It has three of my least favorite actors in it, the total ass Jerry Lewis, bitchy Faye Dunaway and the ever boring Lili Taylor. However, Johnny Depp is a definite favorite ...( read more)of mine, so I made it through the film because of him. Pretentious crap.
  • August 10, 2009
    This is a weird, surreal tale of a young man meeting a pair of unusual women who seem to both be trying to live the same life. Strange performance by Jerry Lewis as an older uncle marrying a much younger woman (though he frowns on the nephew dating the beautiful and alluring Faye...( read more) Dunaway).
  • August 10, 2009
    very funny&emotionally entertaining..

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

You can't stop watching because nobody in the audience, and possibly nobody on the screen, has any idea what's going to happen next. full review

View more Arizona Dream reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • karthu1993
    November 17, 2008
    Can't say that it is perfect. very confusing. could have been.
  • danikaBLAH
    February 8, 2008
    pretty good movie, didn't quite understand bits, and it confused the heck out of me.
  • Ish678
    December 12, 2006
    This film is very very surreal. It took me while to get in to it but once I did, I really enjoyed it. It's not one of my favourite Johnny Depp films, although his acting is great in it. All the other actors do a good job too but I think it takes a few watches before you really get to like it. It could have done with being a bit shorter too.

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