Dream Lover (1994)
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57% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
40% of users liked it
(843 ratings)
A man discovers that what he doesn't know can hurt him, especially when it comes to his wife, in this suspense drama. Ray Reardon (James Spader) is an architect who has just gone through a messy divorce; while his friends sing the praises of the single life, Ray would prefer to settle into a… More A man discovers that what he doesn't know can hurt him, especially when it comes to his wife, in this suspense drama. Ray Reardon (James Spader) is an architect who has just gone through a messy divorce; while his friends sing the praises of the single life, Ray would prefer to settle into a life of middle-class domesticity with a home, wife, and family. Ray meets a beautiful but mysterious woman named Lena (Madchen Amick) at a party, and for him it's love at first sight; while she remains elusive, Ray pursues her avidly, and before long he proposes, even though he doesn't know her especially well. A few years later, they're seemingly happily married with children. But Lena's behavior starts to become erratic and depressive, and she is no longer willing to account for where she's been or what she's been doing. Ray is convinced that Lena has been having an affair and begins doing some research into her past; he soon discovers her previous life bears little resemblance to what she told him and that she's been lying to him about nearly every part of her history and their relationship. Lena contends that she's just "a regular screwed-up person," but in time, Ray realizes that there's a purpose behind her duplicity: she's trying to convince people that he is insane. Dream Lover was the directorial debut of screenwriter Nicholas Kazan. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Nicholas Kazan
- Written By
- Nicholas Kazan
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1994 Wide
- Studio
- PolyGram Video
Critic Reviews
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Adam Lippe, Examiner.com
Eschewing his standard performance of smugness and distance, using intense, blank stares, Spader actually emotes with his lips too, suggesting that there's more going on than just a slimy scoundrel who we should pity because his livelihood is threatened.
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Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Engagingly creepy thriller.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A psychological thriller that explores sexual politics from many perspectives
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Clint Morris, Moviehole
Madchen Amick is super-sexy. Some of the love scenes are steamier than cooked rice. If that's your idea of entertainment, you've found your baby.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This was not a very satisfying thriller.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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James Spader
as Ray Reardon
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Mädchen Amick
as Lena Reardon
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Bess Armstrong
as Elaine
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Fredric Lehne
as Larry
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Larry Miller
as Norman
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Kathleen York
as Martha
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Blair Tefkin
as Cheryl
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Scott Coffey
as Billy
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Clyde Kusatsu
as Judge
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William Shockley
as Buddy
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Erick Avari
as Dr. Spatz
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Jeanne Bates
as Jeanne
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Gretchen Becker
as Celine Rogers
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Paul Ben-Victor
as Clown
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Michael Chow
as Mr Mura
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Talya Ferro
as Cora's Sister
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Alexander Folk
as Oscar
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Robert David Hall
as Dr. Sheen
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Irwin Keyes
as Officer
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Sandra Kinder
as Beautician
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Tom Lillard
as Mr Sneeder
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Michael Milhoan
as Ray's Lawyer
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Joel McKinnon Miller
as Minister
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Joseph Scorsiani
as Martha's Lawyer
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Janel Moloney
as Alice
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Lucy Butler
as Ray's Secretary
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Archie Lang
as Judge
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Harriet C. Leider
as Carnival Woman
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Shawne Rowe
as Debby
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Kate Williamson
as Mrs Sneeder
