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Dreamchild

Play trailer Poster for Dreamchild PG 1985 1h 33m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Eighty-year-old Alice Hargreaves (Coral Browne) is about to visit Columbia University to attend a reception in honor of legendary fantasy author Lewis Carroll. As a child, Alice had a close friendship with the writer, who she knew as Rev. Charles Dodgson (Ian Holm), and their relationship was the creative catalyst for Dodgson's most beloved work. However, as Alice reflects on her experiences with the author, she realizes the complexity of their bond has had lasting, deeply felt ramifications.
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Dreamchild

Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker 09/13/2023
[Ian Holm gives] a wonderful performance -- sneaky-dirty in its recessiveness, funny and painful at the same moments. Go to Full Review
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
3/4
Dreamchild is an ambitious movie that tries to do a lot of things, and does most of them surprisingly well. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 09/25/2022
3/4
This could have been a classic had it not wasted so much time on Alice's simpering assistant (Nicola Cowper) and a tiresome NYC reporter (Peter Gallagher). Go to Full Review
Alan Jones Starburst 07/08/2022
Exquisite on every level, Dreamchild is a film to cherish. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 06/11/2005
4/5
Jake Euker F5 (Wichita, KS) 07/02/2004
4/5
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Audience Reviews

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Jared O Aug 24 This should go without saying, but for all who don't know– Call it what you want, but this movie is HEAVILY packed with pedophilic symbolism. Nuff said. Do your own research and watch a couple clips on YouTube first. See more 04/05/2013 I saw the film when it opened and later rented it on VHS (not available on DVD yet.) A beautiful and heart wrenching film. Ian Holm as "Lewis Carroll" was sadly overlooked by the Oscars that year. The Muppet/Puppet scenes may strike modern audiences as a bit odd, but they add more charm and realism than CG could. One not to miss if/when it is ever shown. Send requests in to TCM. See more 01/26/2013 An interesting, underrated delve into the history of one of our most beloved stories. The mesmerizing performances, surreal atmosphere and all around heart make this a memorable experience worthy of anyone willing to step through the looking glass. See more 10/15/2012 Adds a dark undertone to the creation of the Alice story, and is aided by Henson's tactile, creepy versions of the Wonderland characters. But the interesting premise never rises to the level of engrossing. See more 06/08/2012 Ian Holm is brilliant as the misunderstood, stuttering intellect responsible for the Alice In Wonderland stories. Shame on the film award circles for not recognising this exceptional performance! See more 03/11/2012 Amazing film.amazing Coral Browne. I can't understand the "info" Mr. Erickson shares e.g. the film is "lightened": by those to me terrifying and grotesque characters of Jim Henson. And I thought the "long-sur pressed secret" which was revealed to Alice was that she loved him too. Roberta Hodes See more Read all reviews
Dreamchild

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Movie Info

Synopsis Eighty-year-old Alice Hargreaves (Coral Browne) is about to visit Columbia University to attend a reception in honor of legendary fantasy author Lewis Carroll. As a child, Alice had a close friendship with the writer, who she knew as Rev. Charles Dodgson (Ian Holm), and their relationship was the creative catalyst for Dodgson's most beloved work. However, as Alice reflects on her experiences with the author, she realizes the complexity of their bond has had lasting, deeply felt ramifications.
Director
Gavin Millar
Producer
Rick McCallum, Ken Trodd
Production Co
PfH Ltd., Thorn EMI
Rating
PG
Genre
Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 31, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$38.5K
Runtime
1h 33m
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