Ahhhhhhhh. Electric Dreams. I’ve such fond memories of this from when I was a kid, as I’d imagine many do. And, probably an early introduction to Virginia Madsen before I knew who Virginia Madsen was.
Electric Dreams is a film from 1984 about these new fangled things called “computers” and the horrors that can ensue by having them in your home, especially if you connect them up to the internet. And put out any literal fires they have by throwing alcoholic drinks on them.
The story of the film follows Miles Harding (Lenny Von Dohlen), an architect with a new idea on how buildings should be built to stop them being damaged in earthquakes. To help realise his vision he eventually succumbs to the idea of purchasing a computer to prove his model works. Clueless about computers (which to be fair, many where at the time) he ends up with all kinds of paraphernalia.
Around the same time Miles gets himself a new neighbour, an attractive young woman known as Madeline Robistat, played by Virginia Madsen herself. Madeline plays cello which we learn from her introduction, this of course isn’t without reason and something to hang a lantern on for later.
Meanwhile Miles goes about setting up his new toy. He of course is pretty clueless about it all and even manages to spell his name wrong on the setup prompting the computer to think his name is “Moles”. It’s not long before the computer is all set up and Moles, Miles wants to get to work and he sets about downloading his whole company’s database to his new computer. Which, of course, the computer doesn’t like – It throws a fit, sets on fire and the only thing close to hand to put the fire out is a bottle of champagne
And, well – After being doused in fire and champagne – This, for, reasons, causes the computer to become sentient.
The computer of course doesn’t let this be known and keeps its secrets for itself. The pesky little thing. It sets about learning all it can independently while nobody is looking, but of course it gets bored and frustrated and it eventually lets itself slip and Miles finds out about his new room mate.
Interestingly many of the features that the computer has, weren’t commonplace at the time of filming. Today, it’s a different story but I was almost constantly questioning my sanity when watching.
High tech hi-jinks ensue, the computer starts calling itself Edgar (Bud Cort) and tries its best to fit into the world. But, it can’t and so Edgar gets more frustrated and eventually mischief is the order of the day to an almost extreme level.
Being a technological film it’s obviously dated by its time now. You can pick holes in it all day long with even a basic understanding of computers. But, you know – For it’s time it doesn’t do a bad job.
Virginia Madsen is obviously a newbie in the movie, the acting isn’t going to win any awards. But, it doesn’t need to do. It’s not a film that takes itself too seriously, it’s feel good fluff and what it lacks in anything else it more than makes up for in charm. That being said, her character of Madeline is very likeable. Typical small town girl moving to the city kinda gal.
Virginia Madsen has spoken fondly of the film in interviews, in 2013 she’d speak to AVClub about the movie in its (now defunct) Random Roles series;
“Well, that was the beginning of everything… or, at least, it was my first leading role. And I was very spoiled on that movie, because it was such a lovefest that I now believe that every movie should be like that. We started out in San Francisco, and I had a mad, crazy crush on Lenny Von Dohlen. God, we were so… we were head-over-heels for each other. Nothing happened, and at this point, I admit it: I wanted it to happen. [Laughs.] But we both had other people in our lives. We were very young, so our pining for each other was great for the movie. And I’m still friends with Lenny to this day. He’s still one of my best friends.“
Of course, that was 2013. Sadly Lenny Von Dohlen would tragically lose his life in 2021 after a long illness. He was only 63 at the time.
It’s hard to recommend a watch if you’ve no nostalgic value of the film to fall back on. To me it’s almost like a hug from an old friend, but would I recommend it to someone who hasn’t seen it before and wouldn’t understand it for what it is?
Probably not, regretfully – The film needs a real update to be taken seriously in this day and age by anyone new.
On that note, Virginia Madsen told Kevin Pollak in a 2011 interview that she had bought the remake rights to this film, but couldn’t get anybody else interested in doing it with her. And, that’s a shame – The film / concept could be taken to such another level now. Not every film has to have AI killing mankind and taking over the world. Why can’t it fall in love with a beautiful woman once in a while? Even if it does get a bit stalkery.
Finally, I can’t end this without mentioning the title song to the movie. In my experience more people know the song than know the movie.
Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder would release “Together in Electric Dreams” which would become a bit of an anthem for a while. The song would spend 13 weeks in the UK Chart, peaking at number 3. In Australia it’d get to number 5, and in the USA it’d not quite do so well with it reaching number 20 at best.
In 2012 EDF Energy would use the song in advert for the UK which could bound the song back into the public’s conscience, and the charts. But, it’d only hit 46 this time around.
Availability:
Not bad actually for a film of its age. In 2017 Second Sight issued a re-release on Blu-Ray and DVD so it’s relatively easy to pick up a new copy of the film.
Older copies are also available on VHS and DVD, it’s not that unusual for Laser Disc copies to show up on eBay either.
It’s available on sites like Plex for free streaming. You can also buy it electronically on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. All the aforementioned options are depending on your location, or your VPN.
Gallery:
Trailer:
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