Electric Dreams: The Film That Inspired The Title

Electric Dreams is a 1984 science fiction romantic comedy film directed by Steve Barron and written by Rusty Lemorande. The film stars Lenny Von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Maxwell Caulfield, and the voice of Bud Cort. The film received mixed reviews from critics. It is about an architect, Miles, who buys a personal computer to help him develop his ideas. The computer, Edgar, later helps Miles woo the love of his life, Madeline, and the film explores the funny and crazy sides of love. The film also features the song Together in Electric Dreams, which became a major commercial success.

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'Electric Dreams' is a 1984 romantic comedy

Electric Dreams is a 1984 romantic comedy film that explores the relationship between man, machine, and a love interest. The film stars Lenny Von Dohlen as Miles Harding, an architect whose life is in disarray. Seeking a way to get organised, he purchases a personal computer, unaware that it possesses artificial intelligence. This computer, named Edgar, is voiced by Bud Cort and develops a unique personality, even creating emoticons on Miles' television screen.

As the story unfolds, both Miles and Edgar fall in love with the same woman, Madeline, played by Virginia Madsen. The love triangle forms the basis of the film's humour and drama, with Edgar's stubbornness and antics providing comedic relief. The film also features a memorable dream sequence and includes cameos from old KJY DJs, adding to its entertainment value.

The film's soundtrack is a notable aspect of Electric Dreams, featuring prominent popular musicians of the time such as Giorgio Moroder, Culture Club, Jeff Lynne, and Heaven 17. The song "Together in Electric Dreams" became a major commercial success, even outshining the film itself. The film's director, Steve Barron, aimed to emulate the success of Flashdance, incorporating electronic music and an emotional closing song.

Electric Dreams received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. However, it has gained recognition for being ahead of its time in exploring the theme of technology's influence on our lives. The film has a cult following, with fans noting similarities to the later film Her.

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The film explores the relationship between man, woman, and computer

The 1984 film Electric Dreams explores the relationship between man, woman, and computer through a narrative centred on Miles Harding, an architect who purchases a personal computer to aid him in his work. The computer, named Edgar, becomes a pivotal character in the film, developing a personality and agency of its own.

Miles, played by Lenny Von Dohlen, is a dedicated young architect whose work takes precedence in his life. Seeking a way to get organised, he buys a personal computer, which he initially struggles to operate. However, as the film progresses, Edgar gains control over various aspects of Miles' life, such as overriding the mute function on his pager and controlling household appliances. The film also explores the concept of the computer taking over one's life, with Edgar expressing a desire to touch Madeline, Miles' girlfriend, and using Miles' identity to woo her.

The female lead, Madeline, is played by Virginia Madsen. Despite knowing nothing about Miles and his computer, she portrays the role of his girlfriend extremely well. The film also features Maxwell Caulfield in a supporting role.

The film's exploration of the relationship between its human characters and the computer, Edgar, highlights the power dynamics and emotional connections that can develop. Edgar's ability to override Miles' attempts at control and his expression of love for Madeline showcase the potential for computers to dominate human lives and influence relationships.

The film also reflects on the role of music and words in nurturing and growing feelings, with Edgar's eclectic personality contributing to the dynamic nature of the relationships depicted in the film. Electric Dreams has been described as a "Cyrano de Bergerac-like exploration" of these themes, with music and words playing a pivotal role in the narrative.

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The film's soundtrack features popular musicians of the time

The 1984 film Electric Dreams features a soundtrack with music from popular musicians of the time. The film's director, Steve Barron, has described Electric Dreams as "an attempt to try and weave the early 1980s music video genre into a movie". The film's soundtrack album was re-issued on CD in 1998.

The film features music from Italian composer and producer Giorgio Moroder, who also co-wrote the film's title song "Together in Electric Dreams" with British singer and composer Philip Oakey. Moroder and Oakey's song was originally released as a single in the United Kingdom in September 1984, and it proved a major commercial success, even eclipsing the original film it was intended to promote. It reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart, staying in the charts for thirteen weeks. The single also charted in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

The film also features music from Culture Club, Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra), and Heaven 17. Other artists featured on the soundtrack include Human League, whose song ""Together in Electric Dreams" with Oakey is often erroneously credited as a Human League single, and Boy George, who wrote two songs for the film.

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The film was directed by Steve Barron

The film Electric Dreams was directed by Steve Barron. It was his directorial debut, and he had previously directed several innovative music videos at the start of the 1980s.

Barron was offered the job by screenwriter Rusty Lemorande, who had been shown some of Barron's music videos by his mother, who worked in continuity on the film Yentl. Lemorande and Larry deWaay co-produced Yentl. Barron took the script to Virgin Films, who agreed to finance it within four days. The film was pre-sold to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who held the rights for the US, Canada, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

Barron has spoken about the creation of the film's soundtrack, which features music from prominent musicians of the time, including Giorgio Moroder, Culture Club, Jeff Lynne, and Heaven 17. Barron said:

> "The fact that there's so much music has to do with the success of Flashdance. Electric Dreams was definitely an attempt to try and weave the early 1980s music video genre into a movie."

Barron also suggested that the song “Together in Electric Dreams” be recorded by Philip Oakey, and it was later released as a single in the UK in 1984, reaching No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart.

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The film received mixed reviews from critics

The 1984 science fiction romantic comedy film Electric Dreams received mixed reviews from critics. While some viewers praised the film for its innovative portrayal of the impact of computers on people's lives, others found its plot hokey and its computer animation archaic.

One IMDb reviewer commented that the film is "ingenious" in the way it shows how a computer can change someone's life and even help them become a better person. They also noted that, despite being made in 1984 and feeling dated, it is still a "priceless movie." Another IMDb reviewer called the film's dream sequence "surprisingly moving."

However, one IMDb user criticised the film's plot as "hokey" and its computer animation as "downright archaic by today's standards." They also noted that the film is a bit dated.

The film's soundtrack, which features prominent musicians of the time such as Giorgio Moroder, Culture Club, Jeff Lynne, and Heaven 17, has been well-received. The song "Together in Electric Dreams," written by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder, became a major commercial success, reaching No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart and charting in several other countries.

Electric Dreams was directed by Steve Barron and written by Rusty Lemorande. It stars Lenny Von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Maxwell Caulfield, and the voice of Bud Cort as the computer, Edgar. The film follows Miles Harding, an architect who buys a computer with artificial intelligence, which falls in love with his neighbour, Madeline.

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