Arizona Dream
A rebellious young man. With his own version of the future. And his own fantasy of love.
Overview
An Inuit hunter races his sled home with a fresh-caught halibut. This fish pervades the entire film, in real and imaginary form. Meanwhile, Axel tags fish in New York as a naturalist's gofer. He's happy there, but a messenger arrives to bring him to Arizona for his uncle's wedding. It's a ruse to get Axel into the family business. In Arizona, Axel meets two odd women: vivacious, needy, and plagued by neuroses and familial discord. He gets romantically involved with one, while the other, rich but depressed, plays accordion tunes to a gaggle of pet turtles.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Arizona Dream reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of the early 1990s, a period of economic recession and shifting cultural paradigms. Emir Kusturica, a European director known for his Balkan sensibilities, brings an outsider's perspective to the American Dream, questioning its inherent contradictions and potential for disillusionment.
- Johnny Depp's nuanced and melancholic performance captures the essence of a lost soul searching for meaning.
- The surreal and dreamlike narrative offers a unique and unpredictable viewing experience that defies conventional storytelling.
- The film explores themes of identity, ambition, dreams, and the complexities of human relationships in a poignant and thought-provoking manner.
- Faye Dunaway's eccentric portrayal adds a layer of bizarre humor and tragic desperation.
Fun Facts
- The film's original cut was significantly longer and was heavily edited before its release in the United States.
- Jerry Lewis makes a memorable cameo appearance as a Cadillac salesman, adding another layer of surreal humor to the film.
- Johnny Depp has cited this as one of his favorite films he has worked on.