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Opal Dream (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:32
Fresh:22
Rotten:10
Average Rating:6.2/10
Consensus: Earnest performances and Peter Cattaneo's sympathetic direction gives heart to the simple, timeworn script.
Synopsis: A movie for children and grown-ups of all ages, OPAL DREAM tells the touching story of a young girl, Kellyanne Williamson, whose unshakable faith in her two imaginary friends resonates through her... A movie for children and grown-ups of all ages, OPAL DREAM tells the touching story of a young girl, Kellyanne Williamson, whose unshakable faith in her two imaginary friends resonates through her small hometown in the Australian Outback. She lives with her family in a town that is well-known for its reserves of precious stones. Kellyanne is an average little girl, but there's something odd about her friends, Pobby and Dingan, because apart from Kellyanne herself, nobody can see them. For the most part, Kellyanne's fantasy grates on her big brother's nerves. However, their father insists on indulging his daughter – he even takes these two extra 'members of the family' down into the opal mine. One day he unwittingly – or perhaps deliberately – 'leaves' them in the mine and Pobby and Dingan go missing. Kellyanne wastes away with grief, and her brother enlists the town to search for the girl's lost friends. As her brother takes it upon himself to rally the Williamson family and the community around his sister and her missing friends, everyone discovers what Kellyanne has long known; that you don't necessarily have to see in order to believe. An Official Selection at the Berlin International Film Festival, 2006. -- © Strand Releasing [More]
Starring: Sapphire Boyce, Jacqueline McKenzie, Vince Colosimo, Peter Callan
Starring: Sapphire Boyce, Jacqueline McKenzie, Vince Colosimo, Peter Callan, Eliza Lovell, Andy McPhee, Adam Morgan, Rusty Potter, Denise Roberts
Director: Peter Cattaneo
Director: Peter Cattaneo
Composer: Dario Marianelli
Studio: Strand Releasing
Reviews for Opal Dream
What opens as a delightful kid-friendly drama closes as a stumbly, manipulative yawner.
There are times when cinematic heart-tugging takes on the character of a frontal assault. Opal Dream is one of them.
Opal Dream might be one of those movies that has to catch a viewer in the right mood, or be greeted with scorn.
The film succeeds because of the great lengths to which Ashmol goes to bring her peace of mind.
The film squeezes out its feel-good messages like toothpaste from a tube.
Although Opal Dream marks a pleasing departure from the conventions of the British comedy -- it's based on a children's book and set in the Australian outback -- it's disappointingly small in scope.
A family-oriented film that doesn’t merely play lip-service to the power of imagination -- it actually demonstrates some of its own.
With its lessons of faith, family loyalty and the power of the imagination, this is one of the rare non-animated films parents can take their children to see.
Sophisticated cine philes aren't likely to go ga-ga over this one, but Opal Dream is a worthwhile family film, graced with an ambivalent, bittersweet ending and just the right touch of cinematic poetry turning on the gemstone in its title.
Shouldn't act as if parents appeasing their messed-up child is as moving as people actually giving in to the power of belief.
Catteneo directs the film with a relatively light touch and he manages to avoid too much schmaltz.
While Opal Dream draws liberally on timeworn dramatic staples, it’s the earnestness with which cast and crew believe in the material that keeps its dusty heart beating strong.
One of those heartwarming, 'It's fun to pretend!' fables that's fun for the whole family.
It's tear-jerker material but ends up being quite touching, and it's a good choice for family viewing.
Latest News for Opal Dream
November 28, 2006:
RTIndie: "Little Miss Sunshine," "Half Nelson" Lead Indie Spirit Award Noms
It's time again to celebrate the best that indie-land has to offer. The Spirit Award nominees are out, with "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Half Nelson" leading... More...
November 21, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "Halls" Spreads Little Cheer; "Déjà Vu" Intrigues; "The Fountain" Overflows; "Pick" Is Mixed
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