My 3rd or 4th time viewing. I give this a 10 not only because it moves me but also for the fact that it was made with Corey Haim in the star role. Not many studios would cast Corey in 1991 due to reasons that are not mine to explain, but can be researched. I think studios were far too hard on him. I believe disregarding him made his situation worse. He was victimized years prior by people in the industry and when he needed work the most, the same industry turned its back on him. He was a great talent and never got his chance to really reach his potential in film..which if you look at his performances you'll know that the potential I speak of was super high because he had already proved he was an amazing actor. He didn't fail. The industry failed him. This film, while low in budget with mediocre acting (from its supporting cast) is heartwarming in it's charm as it's what I consider to be an extension of 80's teen/coming of age films. The film's demographic is males between 15-23 years of age but not because of naked women or vulgarity but instead for a boys crush for a girl and his dreams of a having a tough and fast car to gain confidence over insecurities. Which this is conveyed in performance perfectly by Haim as there's a subtle and natural shift from shyness and insecurity to confidence and assertiveness after he lucks into owning a Porsche 911 Turbo. There's obvious unbelievable scenarios in the film as well as fun mistakes like the fact of the Porsche supposedly being brand new in 1991, but in fact it's a 1983 model. The film, while targeting boys or men would be enjoyed by girls and/or women because it's good natured and not a so called "locker room" exhibit of male perversion. With all this said, the studio was definitely worried it would be an only female audience as in 1991 Corey Haim was still considered a heartthrob. To make sure to even it's audience, marketing made sure to plaster the Porsche on the films poster and promotional ads...if they hadn't I wouldn't be surprised if the films small straight to video audience of the time would have been primarily female...but for me it's a boy's kind of movie but universally enjoyable to all.
Review of Dream Machine
