Dream for an Insomniac (1996)

50% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(5,288 ratings)

Set in San Francisco, this romantic comedy centers on the relationships between an aspiring actress and a blue-eyed handsome fellow who meets all her stringent requirements for being the "Perfect Boyfriend." Actress Frankie has spent much of her young-adult life living in an apartment of Uncle Leo's… More Set in San Francisco, this romantic comedy centers on the relationships between an aspiring actress and a blue-eyed handsome fellow who meets all her stringent requirements for being the "Perfect Boyfriend." Actress Frankie has spent much of her young-adult life living in an apartment of Uncle Leo's Café. She works there as a waitress along with Rob, her cousin. There they usually hang out with their friends, slacker Juice and fellow would-be star Allison. Before spying beautiful, blue-eyed David, Frankie refused to waste her time dating anyone "less than extraordinary." But the minute they meet, they begin exchanging literary quotes and from there it is love all the way, at least until Frankie learns that David has a girl friend. Adding further tension is Frankie's upcoming acting job, one that requires she move to LA. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Tiffanie DeBartolo
Written By: Tiffanie DeBartolo
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 18, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Apr 8, 2003

Critic Reviews

Stephen Holden, New York Times
Dream for an Insomniac is really a self-conscious modern sitcom that with its San Francisco setting suggests a pale shadow of Armistead Maupin's Tales From the City.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
It's talky, clumsy and a bit trivial, but the talk is rarely dull, and there's an integrity about its clumsiness: It's harder to be smooth when you have things you really want to say.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A slight, sleekly polished debut feature propelled by a kinder, gentler Swingers vibe.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Aniston is the breeze in this movie.
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix
A romantic comedy about bright, funny, confused young people in San Francisco, it fails to be bright or funny itself, only confused.
Carlo Cavagna, AboutFilm.com
...the sort of insufferably pretentious, urbanite poseurs that insufferably pretentious, urbanite poseurs wish they could be
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
If you're looking for a safe romantic comedy featuring 20-somethings, then you might enjoy Dream for an Insomniac. If you like more challenging films, you won't regret skipping it.
Barbara Shulgasser, San Francisco Examiner
All of the playful dialogue -- and this movie is joyfully full of talk -- is handled well in DeBartolo's savvy script and given life by actors who seem to truly embody the idealism of the characters.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

Contrived poop. If these people really exist I hope we never meet. Let's be weird and free-spirited for the sake of being weird and free-spirited. Insert fart noise here...