Review of Dream Machine

Dream Machine (1991)
Derivative escapism
28 June 2023
My review was written in September 1991 after watching the film on Live video cassette.

Wish fulfillment is the theme of this energetic feature, mainly a video title but released theatrically in September in Miami and Denver."Risky Business" clone plays well and should rent well.

With "Fast Getaway" and "Prayer of the Rollerboys" also recently to his credit, Corey Haim makes a convincing young hero in this light action-comedy. Here he's a college freshman in Colorado (pic was made in Utah) who is suffering fraternity hazing.

Highly unlikely plot line has Haim receive the gift of a new Porschee fro Susan Seaforth Hayes after he tunes her piano. Car was a gift to her philandering husband (Jeremy Slate), and Hayes gives the dream machine away in spite.

Their son-in-law, one-dimensional villain Randall England, has murdered Slate after being caught embezzling from their family firm and stashed the corpse in the Porsche's trunk. All hell breaks out as he chases Haim around town trying to get the car (and evidence) back.

As with Tom Cruise in "Risky Business" and the imitative Matthew Broderick hit "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", the premise here is identification with a young hero in possession of a fabulous car while parents are away. Haim uses the vehicle to impress would-be girlfriend Brittney Lewis and to escape handily from both the relentless heavy England and frat pranksters led by Tracy Fraim.

Given a light touch by filmmaker Lyman Dayton, the package is a pleasant diversion. Topicality of pic's key subplot concerning dangerous hazing practice is sidestepped as Fraim successfully humanizes his role.

Cast is solid, with dreamgirl Lewis a striking new face. Stunts and production values are good.
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