Dream a Little Dream Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Old dude tries to steal a teen’s life to get with a hot girl, but ends up having to deal with high school drama and the lingering scent of Michael Jackson instead.

🍿 Dream a Little Dream: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Bobby’s Teenage Woes

Bobby Keller, played by Corey Feldman, is a typical 80s teen struggling with school, parental neglect, and unrequited love for Lainie Diamond, the girlfriend of the popular Joel. His life feels meaningless, prompting him to seek shortcuts and easy ways out, setting the stage for the extraordinary events to come. He is characterized by his affinity to Michael Jackson, copying the singer’s style and dance moves.

The Experiment and the Accident

Coleman Ettinger, an elderly scientist portrayed by Jason Robards, and his wife Gena are dedicated to exploring the realm of conscious dreaming as a path to immortality. Their experiments lead to a fateful night where Bobby collides with Lainie on his bike in the Ettingers’ yard. This accident triggers a bizarre transference, causing Coleman’s consciousness to inhabit Bobby’s body.

Body Swap Chaos and Dream Limbo

Coleman, trapped in Bobby’s body, struggles to adapt to teenage life while desperately trying to find a way back to his own body and his wife. Simultaneously, Gena’s consciousness becomes partially embedded in Lainie. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Bobby’s own consciousness exists in a dream limbo, where he can communicate with Coleman. Bobby uses this influence to get Coleman to improve his real life in exchange for helping.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bobby Keller (Corey Feldman): A disaffected teenager whose body becomes inhabited by an elderly man’s consciousness after an accident.
• Coleman Ettinger (Jason Robards): An elderly dream researcher whose consciousness ends up trapped in Bobby’s body due to a failed experiment.
• Lainie Diamond (Meredith Salenger): The object of Bobby’s affection who becomes partially inhabited by Gena’s consciousness.
• Dinger (Corey Haim): Bobby’s quirky best friend who provides comedic relief and support.
• Gena Ettinger (Piper Laurie): Coleman’s wife, whose consciousness becomes partially linked to Lainie after the accident.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dinger: “Wow… shit’s gotten weird.” – Dinger says this line in Joel’s car, waiting for Bobby, after experiencing strange events, encapsulating the movie’s surreal tone.
• Bobby: “That’s the way *I* laugh, y’know?” – Bobby defends his unusual laugh to Dinger, highlighting the character’s quirky personality and Feldman’s acting choices.
• Bobby: “I’m in love.” – Bobby’s simple declaration reveals his deep infatuation and sets the stage for the romantic elements of the plot.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: $5,552,441
• Worldwide Gross: $5,552,441

💥 Dream a Little Dream Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I first saw this movie when I was like, 12, and it completely blew my mind! The whole body-swap thing was super cool, but it was the weirdness that stuck with me. Corey Feldman trying to do the moonwalk? Jason Robards in a teen’s body? It was so strange, but I loved it. I remember wanting to have those blue-tinted dream sequences myself. It’s definitely a guilty pleasure, and still makes me laugh.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 80s teen movies”
  • “Viewers interested in body-swap comedies”
  • “Those who appreciate Corey Feldman and Corey Haim’s work”
  • “Fans of synth-heavy soundtracks”
  • “People who enjoy movies with a touch of fantasy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Teen drinking”
  • “Brief Violence”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Some dated attitudes regarding relationships.”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Dream a Little Dream is a bizarre but occasionally charming 80s teen flick that mixes body-swap tropes with new-age philosophy. While the plot is convoluted, the performances, especially from Feldman and Robards, elevate the material. It’s a strange, dreamy trip worth taking if you’re nostalgic for the era.
• The New York Times: “The film suffers from a muddled narrative and uneven pacing. However, the interplay between the characters, especially Feldman and Robards, provides moments of genuine humor and heart. It attempts to be both a lighthearted comedy and a thoughtful exploration of life and death, but ultimately falls short of both.

Audience Reactions

The soundtrack is awesome and really captures the 80s vibe.: Most viewers agree that the movie has a unique blend of genres and a nostalgic feel.

I loved the scenes where Corey Feldman tried to act like Jason Robards and vice-versa. So funny!: Many praise the performances of Corey Feldman and Jason Robards

Overall Consensus: Dream a Little Dream is a cult classic 80s teen movie with a bizarre plot, but memorable performances and a great soundtrack.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Corey Haim broke his leg four days before filming began, requiring the script to be rewritten to include the injury for his character, Dinger.”
• “Lala Sloatman agreed to be in the movie only if her boyfriend at the time, Corey Haim, was also cast in the film.”
• “Corey Feldman’s wardrobe and dance moves in the film were heavily influenced by Michael Jackson, reflecting Feldman’s real-life obsession with the pop star.”

🖥️ How to Watch Dream a Little Dream?

Dream a Little Dream is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Unfortunately, as of now, it is not included with any streaming subscription, so purchase or rental is the primary way to watch it online.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Dream a Little Dream, you might like these similar films:

• Like Father Like Son (1987): Features a father and son who magically switch bodies, leading to comedic situations and personal growth.
• 18 Again! (1988): An elderly man and his teenage grandson switch bodies, exploring themes of aging, youth, and family relationships with humor.
• Vice Versa (1988): A father and son swap bodies through a magical artifact, learning to understand each other’s lives and challenges.
• Freaky Friday (2003): A mother and daughter swap bodies, forcing them to see the world from each other’s perspectives and resolve their conflicts.

🛒 Dream a Little Dream Related Products

• Dream a Little Dream (Limited Edition Blu-ray): A remastered Blu-ray edition with exclusive behind-the-scenes content, interviews with the cast, and a collector’s booklet. This is a must-have for fans who want the ultimate viewing experience.
• Corey Feldman: My Life as a Coreo: Read Corey Feldman’s autobiography about his life as child actor and relationships with Cory Haim. It’s all in here with a behind the scenes look at the making of Dream a Little Dream.
• Dream a Little Dream – Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating a home theater or adding to a collection of 80s memorabilia. Captures the essence of the film’s dreamy and surreal atmosphere.
• Dream a Little Dream T-Shirt: A vintage-style T-shirt featuring the movie’s title and key characters. Made from soft, comfortable material, it’s a great way to show off your love for this cult classic.

🎧 Soundtrack

Dream a Little Dream features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dream a Little Dream of Me” – performed by Mel Tormé
• “Rock On” – performed by Michael Damian
• “Young at Heart” – performed by Frank Sinatra
• “Into the Mystic” – performed by Van Morrison

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Michael Damian Rock On 1989

Remember that catchy tune from “Dream a Little Dream”? This is the original music video of “Rock On” by Michael Damian, and honestly, it’s the perfect blast from the past. Prepare for some serious 80s vibes!

✨ Rate