Product Details

• Actors: Ione Skye, Jennifer Aniston, Mackenzie Astin, Michael Landes, Seymour Cassel
• Directors: Tiffanie DeBartolo
• Writers: Tiffanie DeBartolo
• Producers: Charles Kirkwood, Christopher Lloyd, John Hackett, Phyllis Housen, Rita Rokisky
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: March 30, 1999
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0800198840
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #365,413 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Frankie (Ione Skye) is looking for a man "with the soul of a poet and eyes like Frank Sinatra." Her world is black and white--literally in this film--until the blue eyes of David (Mackenzie Astin) enter the café where she works with her uncle and cousin. But Frankie's about to leave San Francisco for L.A. with her best friend, Allison (Jennifer Aniston), where they'll both become actresses. Time is running out for Frankie to convince David that she's the love of his life.

Unfortunately for Frankie, and this film, the lackluster plot and trite characters don't give her much to work with. The dialogue is atrocious (Frankie says, with complete sincerity, "I'm going to circumnavigate his soul until he's anchored on all sides by my love"), and her character is so utterly spoiled and obnoxious you can't understand what David--or her friends--see in her. What makes the film all the more disappointing is the promising cast. Jennifer Aniston is underused, and Michael Landes does the best he can with his clichéd role as a gay man who desperately wants to come out to his father but can't work up the courage. Dream for an Insomniac tries too hard to be the kind of hip '90s love story that films such as Walking and Talking and Naked in New York succeed in being. --Jenny Brown

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I think of you night and day, March 16, 2004

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dream For an Insomniac (DVD)

"Anything less than extraordinary is a waste of my time." ~Frankie

From the surprising subtle intensity of the black-and-white opening to the casual softness of the ending, this movie is a masterpiece. There is an immediate sense of familiarity and if you love being absorbed into a character's world, Frankie will take you into her mind.

Frankie (Ione Skye) has a longing for the poetic life. While working in a San Francisco café, she bides her time until she can pursue her acting career in Los Angeles. I was amazed at how interesting a movie can be when most of the scenes are filmed in the coffee shop or Frankie's bedroom. The set is beautiful, but the script takes center stage and at times it can be rather mesmerizing.

Frankie's best-friend-acting-pal Jennifer Aniston adds an adorable sensitivity and there is a scene where she is comforting Frankie that adds warmth to their friendship. If you like "Friends," I can almost guarantee you will love the "close circle" in this movie. The character development shows a deep understanding of human interaction and the meeting of the minds is intriguing to say the least. The various elements of the soundtrack, including Frank Sinatra's music could not be more perfect. The music blends scenes perfectly all while creating a subtle intimacy.

Up until the time Frankie and Sir David (Mackenzie Astin) meet, the entire film is without color. I didn't even notice the lack of color at first, but suddenly you see David's blue eyes. This was quite intuitive as when you fall "in love" the entire world seems more colorful and the world literally sparkles with life. They take this element of the blue eyes and weave it through the movie in various ways. This movie has two of the most romantic/caring scenes I've ever seen.

There are quite a few laughs and listening to Ione Skye say just about anything might be audible bliss. That thing she does with her right eyebrow is kinda sexy. She quotes Aristotle, recognizes quotes by Tennyson and can whip out quotes in an enviable fashion. She also loves a challenge.

Once Frankie and David realize they share a love for writing they develop an instant connection and the chemistry is definitely working in this movie. It goes beyond casual infatuation to something akin to a deep mind connection with the added benefit of passion.

I love the physical comedy as much as the surprisingly witty script. When playing Scrabble, Frankie says: "David, you better hide your letters, I tend to glance." Just the way her body moves inspires a sly smile or laugh. When David and Frankie walk on the beach, David says Frankie is living in a dream world and she says: "Don't I wish."

You could lose sleep yourself because you might want to keep watching this movie night after night. I became a bit addicted to the way this movie reveals new elements on each viewing. You might also want to get a few doughnuts and a cup of coffee before you watch this movie. Otherwise, those doughnuts on the counter will make you rather hungry.

After watching this movie, I went out and bought something pink and had my hair dyed darker. Now, if only I had a photographic mind. I collect quotes, but spinning them off the way Frankie does is sheer fantasy.

"Dream for an Insomniac" is steeped in intellectual romance and the dreamy script is at times rather sexy.

~The Rebecca Review

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this movie, September 27, 2005

By 

S. Fiebke (US ARMY, Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dream For an Insomniac (DVD)

I have watched this movie over and over. I disagree with the editorial review that says that Frankie is "utterly spoiled and obnoxious." Do these people watch the movies they review at all?? She is an aspiring actress, and as such, she is perhaps overly dramatic and prone to overly contrived speeches. But, aren't all aspiring actresses (professional or merely by lifestyle) that way? And don't our friends love us anyway? Are we not entitled to love?

I am sprawled across my red, velvet chaise, wrapped in a marabou stole utterly distraught over that review. I cannot go on.....

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Philosopher's Dream, November 29, 2001

By 

"atheatergirl" (Coal Valley, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dream for an Insomniac [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Dream for an Insomniac" is an incredible movie that I truly didn't think I would enjoy. When I first saw it, I thought it was going nowhere, but it turned out to be one of my favorite movies ever (second only to "Gone With the Wind.")

I know a lot of people think this movie in unrealistic and fails where other Gen X movies succeeded. My note to them is that this movie isn't a typical Hollywood romantic comedy, which is why it was done independently. You have to acknowledge and respect Tiffani DeBartolo (writer and director) for her wonderful sense of language. I realize some people do not talk like Frankie, David, Allison, Roberto, and Juice, but that is not the point. Enjoy this movie for the lessons in life and love it has to offer. There are so many lines from this movie that have become my mottos.

"Anything less than mad, passionate, extraordinary love is a waste of time. There are too many mediocre things in life to deal with and love shouldn't be one of them."

"I either get what I want or I change my mind."

Please just give this movie a chance. I know not everyone will like it, but don't knock it until you see it.