Lathe of Heaven (2002) (TV)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Philip Haas

Writers (WGA):

Ursula K. Le Guin (novel)
Alan Sharp (teleplay)

Release Date:

8 September 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Tagline:

His dreams control our destiny, but who controls his dreams.

Plot Keywords:

Psychiatrist | Central Pontine Myelinosis | Therapist | Dream | Utopia Quest

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

James Caan	...	Dr. William Haber
Lukas Haas	...	George Orr
Lisa Bonet	...	Heather Lelache
David Strathairn	...	Mannie
Sheila McCarthy	...	Penny
Serge Houde	...	Judge
Suzanne Desautels	...	Lelache's Secretary
Belinda Hum	...	Mrs. Nakumisi
Tetsuro Shigematsu	...	Mr. Nakumisi
Jonathan Higgins	...	Medic
Danny Blanco	...	Security Officer (as Danny Blanco-Hall)
Conrad Pla	...	Search Man #1
Daniel Do	...	Waker / Host
Daniel Pilon	...	President Murtle
Steve Adams	...	Game Show Host

Runtime:

USA:90 min | USA:91 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Trivia:

Bruce Davison, who played George Orr in the 1980 teleplay, acted as executive producer on the 2002 remake.

Movie Connections:

Remake of The Lathe of Heaven (1980) (TV)

A Miss

I am at a loss to understand why producers feel the need to remake perfectly good movies into mediocre movies. I just don't get it.

Ursula K. Le Guin's tale of George Orr, a wretched young man with the power to alter reality by literally dreaming up a new one, is a good story with many layers. George falls victim to a well-meaning (at first, anyway) psychotherapist, Dr. Haber, who uses George to remake the universe. George is one of those poor souls who cannot resist the will of anyone he perceives to be an authority and consequently finds himself remaking the universe to Haber's specifications. We all know that the road to a well known place is paved with good intentions, and this supplies the conflict that makes the drama.

If you've never read Ursula K. Le Guin's novel or seen the 1980 PBS film, you might like this effort. Otherwise, don't waste your time. This movie wimped out in several places by watering down the script to avoid any racial overtones, so well handled in both the book and the earlier film. There were other instances where I felt the script writers and the producer were trying to be as PC as possible. The story dragged, and all in all I found it flat.

The casting was OK with one exception -- Lisa Bonet, a generally competent actress, was sadly miscast as Heather LeLache, George's court-appointed lawyer. The role called for an in your face, very black lady with an attitude, not a wimpy cutie.