The Lathe of Heaven [DVD]

I bought this to replace my VHS version. Although the special effects seem comparatively primitive now, this film does do justice to Ursula LeQuin’s excellent book. A classic for any lover of Science Fiction.

Ursula K. LeGuin is among the most literary of SF writers. Her stories center on human strengths, faults, and dilemmas. Fantasy elements in her story just highlight these traits, never becoming the story in themselves.This adaptation of  her famous novel  presents George Orr, a normal enough guy convicted of some minor drug infraction. When he shows up for court-ordered therapy, the reason for the drugs comes out: he takes them to sleep without dreaming. His dreams terrify him, not as nightmares would, but only after he awakens. Those bizarre images from dreamworld logic turn out to have changed the real world in their image - and changed them so completely that all of human history changes, too, in ways that let George's new world make sense. Only George remembers the old world as well as the new.Dr. Haber takes on George's case and quickly discovers the truth of George's power. I'm sure everyone agrees, there's plenty in this world that could be improved. Haber sees it his god-given duty to make those improvements, using technological control over George's dreaming mind. A classic story of scientific hubris follows, with blind disregard for many warnings signs along the way. One can almost imagine George and Haber as two discoverers of fire: the one seeking only a way to put it out, the other determined to set the world abalze.This 1980 movie was probably put together in the late 70s. It carries many marks of that time, including some  Logan's Run  visual styling, bell-bottoms, and Brutalist architecture. I doubt mere coincidence in the close fit between the Brutalist research institute that Haber creates for himself and his brutal approach to George and to the world in general. This modest movie succeeds well, despite minimal effects and total lack of guns'n'chases action. Perhaps it lacks the delicacy of LeGuin's original, but offers plenty to the thinking viewer.-- wiredweird

Available again after a 20-year absence, "The Lathe of Heaven" has lost none of its power or impact. Not only a compelling story, enhanced by fine acting, but an invitation to consider the philosophical and ethical questions it raises. You'll discuss this with like-minded friends afterward! Proof positive that good science-fiction is about ideas, not special effects. The essence of this film will never be dated -- highly recommended to all thoughtful viewers.August 8, 2013 update: Having watched the film again, this time on the already out-of-print DVD with the fine Bill Moyers-Ursula LeGuin interview, I'm reminded of just how good this adaptation of her classic novel really is. In Bruce Davison, Kevin Conway, and Margaret Avery, we have 3 gifted actors who give their all to their roles, grounding the shifting realities that surround them with nuanced humanity. If the special effects were low-budget even then, they're handled well & integrated perfectly into the story; only someone obsessed with geek culture minutia could complain, as they convey everything that has to be conveyed. In fact, flashy & expensive CGI effects would only be a garish distraction here -- since the story is about dreams & the power of the Unconscious, far better to simply suggest the alien ships (for example) with dots of light, and let the viewer's imagination fill in the rest. What counts here is the ominous power of the narrative, because we've already learned that nothing about reality is safe, than anything can happen -- and usually for the worst. And much of that ominous power is enhanced by the score, which is subtle & utterly appropriate. While many 1980s synthesizer scores just don't hold up now, this one is superb.Again, this story is about ideas, philosophy, ethics -- all explored within a gripping story that treats us like adults & takes for granted our ability to think about it all intelligently. After years of countless mega-million CGI blockbusters that claim to be science-fiction, it's even more refreshing to come back to the real thing. Can you imagine how many excellent films of this caliber could be made on just the costume budget of those blockbusters? It would be a pleasure to see more films that engage the mind & heart, rather than just superficial sensation. A pity it's once more out-of-print! We can only hope that it'll somehow be reissued again in the near future, this time with the proper Beatles version of "A Little Help From My Friends" back in place. Let's sleep on it ...

This was the first movie commissioned by PBS, one of the many interesting facts that the DVD interview reveals. In fact the interview on the DVD is almost as good as the movie itself - did you know Ursula wanted to do the Left Hand of Darkness instead but that they talked her out of it?The movie is excellent. Although you can tell at the beginning of the DVD that the master wasn't of the best quality, you quickly get sucked into the storyline, accepting some of the shoddy special effects because the plot and acting are so stellar. I was lucky enough to do a 3 hour phone interview with Kevin Conway, and we talked a lot about how much this movie meant to him and what he was thinking about while filming. The movie has had a big impact on both the actors and viewers - most sci fi fans I know remember vividly when this came out, and have been waiting anxiously for its return. I already have a line of friends who want to come watch this with me!The basic story is that George Orr has dreams which change reality, and simply wants them to stop. His doctor, Dr. Haber, instead decides to use them to change the world and rid it of evil. Ursula explains in the interview that this pits the tao of 'go with the flow' in George vs the progress and change mentality of Dr. Haber.It's definitely a movie that you can watch many times and really think about, and also a movie that is fun just as an interesting story. Perhaps my favorite part is when George wonders if *everyone* has this ability, to change reality with dreams, and that maybe the 'rug is being pulled out from under us' over and over again without anyone noticing.See this with friends or family, and be prepared for lively discussions afterwards!

８０年代を思わせるようなとてもよくできているＤＶＤだと思います