Dream a Little Dream (1989)

When looking back at the 1980s, most people would remember big hair (including the guys), leg warmers, neon, neon leg warmers, Madonna, and cheesy movies.  Of course, said movies generally starred one or more members of the “brat” pack or one/both Coreys (Haim and Feldman).  The two Coreys starred in eight movies together including The Lost Boys, License to Drive, and Dream a Little Dream.  While it may be difficult to believe, the latter film was originally released in theaters almost 45 years ago but thankfully Lionsgate, through their Vestron Video Collector's Series, has decided to offer a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital combo pack that heads to retailers this week. 

Bobby Keller (Feldman) is an unmotivated high school student and like many delinquents, he gets in trouble and never studies.  One evening while he is cutting through his neighbor’s yard to get home, he becomes entangled in some weird experiment Professor Coleman Ettinger (Jason Robards; All the Presidents’ Men) is attempting, with his wife, Gena (Piper Laurie; The Faculty).   Just as they cross paths, Keller literally runs right into a girl he likes, Lainie Diamond (Meredith Salenger; Lake Placid), knocking them both out.  When they awake, Bobby finds he has switched bodies with Prof. Ettinger, and while Ettinger parades around as Bobby, Bobby ends up in s suspended dream-like state. 

If this plot sounds like Vice Versa or Freaky Friday, it’s because it is – with some slight variations.  Instead of switching bodies and living each other’s lives, Ettinger got that opportunity while Bobby basically was in limbo and honestly wasn’t unhappy about it.  The cast is an enjoyable mix of mid-1980s young Hollywood blended with seasoned actors like Robards and Laurie.  With director Marc Rocco (Murder in the First) at the helm, the cast sails along smoothly and keep the pace of the film moving. 

The technical aspects of this restoration are a little uneven but that is generally the case with older negatives.  The 1080p video quality has some bright spots but also shows a little bit of wear and tear.  Some of the colors are faded but some are bold and exciting.  Some details are fuzzy while others are sharp and clean. The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 fares better than the video quality.  The soundtrack is full-bodied and robust while the dialogue is clean and crisp.  

Unfortunately, the extras are a little on the light side.  Besides the digital copy, the extras include Audio Commentary with Film Historian Jarret Gahan, Young at Heart, When Lightning Strikes, Theatrical Trailer, TV Spots, and Still Gallery.  Feldman offers some humorous anecdotes including about his friend Haim and how he become involved with the film.  Otherwise, there isn’t much “meat” to the extras which is a little disappointing but maybe they are saving some extras for a 4K release down the road. 

Dream a Little Dream is a typical 1980’s movie offering complete with the “Coreys”.  However, based on Feldman’s waning popularity and Haim’s untimely passing, this movie is more nostalgic rather than a “new classic”.  It isn’t an original concept (others have done it better – I refer to the Lindsay Lohan/Jamie Lee Curtis 2003 version of Freaky Friday) and it doesn’t hold up all that well, but Gen Xers will certainly approve of this release, and many will buy it, longing for a reminder of their long-forgotten youth. 

Lionsgate/Vestron Video does a good job with this updated release and ’80s teens will be happy with it.  I’m not sure younger audiences will get it/appreciate it but they aren’t the target demographic anyway.  If you were crushing on the Coreys forty years ago, then go get this.  If your mom was a teen during the ’80s this might make a pretty good Mother’s Day gift…just sayin’. 

Grade: C+