The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (1998)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(467 ratings)

Fantasist Ray Bradbury wrote the screenplay for this adaptation of his 1957 Saturday Evening Post short story, "The Magic White Suit," previously adapted as a TV drama, a stage musical, and a play. Middle-aged Gomez (Joe Mantegna) hopes to own the beautiful white suit he spots in a store window.… More Fantasist Ray Bradbury wrote the screenplay for this adaptation of his 1957 Saturday Evening Post short story, "The Magic White Suit," previously adapted as a TV drama, a stage musical, and a play. Middle-aged Gomez (Joe Mantegna) hopes to own the beautiful white suit he spots in a store window. Since he can't afford it, he locates four same-size men to each contribute $20. On a Friday evening, the five in turn don the shining suit for an hour, and when they wear the iridescent garment, their wishes come true. Director Stuart Gordon had success 30 years ago with his production of the stage play. The opening titles are in sand animation. Shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Stuart Gordon
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jan 23, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Mar 16, 1999

Critic Reviews

Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
A wonderful, magical movie.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

Great! A fantastic and unforgettable film. Fresh.
Adam M

More stereotypes than you can shake a pinata stick at. Much of the performances and songs are in your face, mugging it up. But the use of close-ups is very careful and the editing is musical and flowing even when the songs and score are grating. Clifton Collins Jr. is the most sincere… More
More stereotypes than you can shake a pinata stick at. Much of the performances and songs are in your face, mugging it up. But the use of close-ups is very careful and the editing is musical and flowing even when the songs and score are grating. Clifton Collins Jr. is the most sincere and the best of the group, since his expressions and voice convey that he believes, seeing through the hijinks, in all the others. For me, this fable doesn't conjure up real magic except that you never see the other shoe drop. Anything that might bring the fall from bliss is held beyond the frame without any foreshadowing even. The people don't fight over the suit; it's not rent between them in acrimony; and their camaraderie never succumbs to individual greed or selfishness. The story revolves around the strange idea that a single new object could enter a person's life and convert him/her to brimming pride, complete trust in fate, and celebration of one's imminent opportunities, one's daily surroundings and the life of all humankind. Visionary pre-credit animated sequence. Very bad video cover, and a lot of this movie felt almost that exasperating, but by the end, it gets across the magic of a certain kind of optimism in the face of the unknown.
Leo L

Great!