This movie was a great way to get some understanding of someone who seems to have been famous forever. It's fun and keeps moving, but at times it was hard to keep track of the passage of time in the film. It didn't seem clear how much time was passing from scene to scene and, before I knew it, it was 1987.
A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story (1995 TV Movie)
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An era of time that now seems a little "Goofy".
mark.waltz4 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A step-by-step, paint your numbers biography of the favorite Mouseketeer girl, this is basically decent but "too nice", allegedly told through the perspective of the real Annette Funnicello who on screen narrator of the story, telling it to a little girl at a birthday party. Of course, it's easy to get drawn into an emotionally because at this point, she was struggling with multiple sclerosis and her speech was greatly affected, almost sounding saintly. Going from the winner of the talent show to part of an ensemble of. Walt Disney variety show to the only one of the cast held over after the cancellation to beach party girl, and her romances and friendships with Paul Anka and Frankie Avalon respectively.
The actresses playing enough throughout the years are amazingly accurate in looks and personality, showing her shyness and her devotion to her work and to her fans. I had to chuckle at the casting of Linda Lavin as her mother because she reminds me of a nicer version of Mama Rose, a role that Lavin played on Broadway. In fact, the talent show at the beginning is like the opening scene of "Gypsy". If she was a stage mother, she certainly only had her daughter's best interest at heart, not like other stage mothers who has been dramatized on stage and screen.
The film is sentimental, not maudlin though, and while there are definite elements of a tearjerker to be had here, it is basically a true story and definitely gives the viewer a sense of what Funnicello went through and how the adult version of herself remained as sweet as she had been as a teenager. No sugar coating, but you get the sense that more as a potentially scandalous aspects were not presented. Broadway great Len Cariou plays Disney in a saintly way that perpetuates the legend of Uncle Walt, and you have to wonder how much of it is true and what darker sides of him were cut. Enjoyable and nostalgic, not really giving the viewer anything that they probably did not know, so it's ultimately generic as far as storytelling is concerned, something audiences have come to expect from a Disney story.
The actresses playing enough throughout the years are amazingly accurate in looks and personality, showing her shyness and her devotion to her work and to her fans. I had to chuckle at the casting of Linda Lavin as her mother because she reminds me of a nicer version of Mama Rose, a role that Lavin played on Broadway. In fact, the talent show at the beginning is like the opening scene of "Gypsy". If she was a stage mother, she certainly only had her daughter's best interest at heart, not like other stage mothers who has been dramatized on stage and screen.
The film is sentimental, not maudlin though, and while there are definite elements of a tearjerker to be had here, it is basically a true story and definitely gives the viewer a sense of what Funnicello went through and how the adult version of herself remained as sweet as she had been as a teenager. No sugar coating, but you get the sense that more as a potentially scandalous aspects were not presented. Broadway great Len Cariou plays Disney in a saintly way that perpetuates the legend of Uncle Walt, and you have to wonder how much of it is true and what darker sides of him were cut. Enjoyable and nostalgic, not really giving the viewer anything that they probably did not know, so it's ultimately generic as far as storytelling is concerned, something audiences have come to expect from a Disney story.
Very entertaining and informative
bobhedges23 February 2005
Annette and I were born in the same year, 1942. I was alway neutral about Annette. While I thought she was cute, I was not a big fan. She lived inside our black and white television set and was not very real. After awhile she dropped out of sight and was largely forgotten by me.
Then I saw the movie about her life on our large screen color TV. Something made me watch the movie even though I had better things to do. Within the next 120 minutes Annette became a real person with normal problems. As the movie ends the actors are replaced with the real person they are playing. Frankie Avalon becomes Frankie Avalon. An Annette ends up being herself in the movie. There is nothing boastful about the movie. Annette is not put up on a pedestal. Her fight with MS becomes very real in her life and you experience it. The film ends with a real life situation that will bring both smiles and tears to your face.
If you grew up with Annette Funicello and you enjoyed your youth, you owe it to yourself to watch this movie. I wish I knew how to contact her and tell her how revealing and entertaining the movie is.
Then I saw the movie about her life on our large screen color TV. Something made me watch the movie even though I had better things to do. Within the next 120 minutes Annette became a real person with normal problems. As the movie ends the actors are replaced with the real person they are playing. Frankie Avalon becomes Frankie Avalon. An Annette ends up being herself in the movie. There is nothing boastful about the movie. Annette is not put up on a pedestal. Her fight with MS becomes very real in her life and you experience it. The film ends with a real life situation that will bring both smiles and tears to your face.
If you grew up with Annette Funicello and you enjoyed your youth, you owe it to yourself to watch this movie. I wish I knew how to contact her and tell her how revealing and entertaining the movie is.
A tribute to a wonderful lady
wildman022830 April 2003
Like many people, I grew up "Loving" Annette Funicello. This wonderul movie has so many treats besides her biography. It depicts life in the 50's in Hollywood - Walt Disney's discovery of Annette, the making of the Mickey Mouse Club, a young Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, and later Frankie Avalon & Shelly Fabares playing their adult selves. Most of all, the film has such "heart" and is so moving & inspiring as Annette discovers and deals with her MS disease. Hopefully soon the film will go to DVD and some or all of the profits will help with the fight of this disease. If you are lucky enough to catch it on TV - tape it!!
Not all "happily ever after"
mshue16 October 2005
Although she grew up in what many would describe as a fairy-tale world, this movie shows that not all Hollywood productions are "happily ever after". I was glad to see that, unlike many biographies, Annette chose to tell the true story, both happy and sad. Her failed relationship with Paul Anka, her divorce from Jack, and her subsequent revealing of her MS, shows what a strong and wonderful person she is. A true stroke of genius by the writers, directors, producers, and Annie herself to use the real Annette throughout the movie and to use her real family during Gina's wedding. I hope her surgery in 1999 was successful and that she is doing well.
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes
lmc19879 March 2006
I have always been a Fan of the Beautiful and Talented Annette Funicello. In fact I own a VHS of this movie that I was fortunate enough to buy on eBay which was sent out prior to the movie being shown on television. I understand that these are sent out to the Lucky folks who decide on whether on not the movie should be part of an awards show, like the Oscars etc. On the top of the cover it says " for your consideration" Outstanding made for Television Movie, A Dream is a Wish Your Hearts Makes, for your consideration Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Special, Annette Funicello. This VHS has of course become a Prize in my Annette Collection. The movie is Wonderful. It gives a lot of insight into the life of Annette. Seeing Annette again is a great experience, especially now that the disease MS has done so much to her physically, and yet she chose to do this to help make all aware of the devastation of this disease. She is so Warm and Lovingly kind in the movie that you can't help but Love and Respect her. It is definitely a Movie worth watching.
Great Movie
roxansami16 February 2014
I would love to share this movie with my granddaughter but apparently it is not available for purchase. If you were a fan of Annette's and haven't had a chance to see this movie you've missed a good story. Making it even better is that it is told by Annette herself. I started as a fan of the Mouseketeers. Later I was hooked on the "beach" movies. I read all those teen magazines growing up to follow her story. It was only as I got older that I realized they printed "fluff". Watching this movie you see her real life. It wasn't all beach parties and songs. Annette lived an interesting life and never let the downs keep her there. I hope those "in charge" release this movie for purchase...or, at least, show it again on t.v.
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