MovieChat Forums > The Lathe of Heaven (1980) Discussion > 70's feel, + question about ending

70's feel, + question about ending

posted 17 years ago by gretchenwieners8
4 replies | jump to latest

Obviously not surprising since the movie was made in 1980, but it struck me nonetheless, for example all the orange furnishings (coffee mugs in the cafeteria), the "futuristic" people-mover subway, Heather the lawyer's outfits + hair, the Haber Institute - actually Dallas City Hall, meant to look futuristic but actually built in the 70's like a lot of modernist institutional architecture. I think it all adds to the classic nature of the film, but that aspect just reminded me of movies like The Omega Man and the Planet of the Apes sequel where the apes revolt.

But about the ending - I get that George has essentially created this reality for himself and that maybe the world was really destroyed in a nuclear war 4 years earlier. But did anyone else just think it was really funny seeing the alien running the hot dog stand? Kind of an uplifting end to what really could be a depressing movie.

[–] Billy_McAvoy 16 years ago

But did anyone else just think it was really funny seeing the alien running the hot dog stand? Kind of an uplifting end to what really could be a depressing movie.

Yeah, I just re-watched this with a friend last night, and that did make me laugh. The other really funny moment was George's calm reaction after Haber first talk with the alien during the "invasion." This movie was very true to the book, I really enjoyed that. Although there were some bad acting moments and shrill electronic music, I thought this movie is a great example of what can be done with a low budget ($250,000), I wish more folks had the yarbles to make these sorts of movies. I still feel that overall this is by far my favorite Sci-fi of all time because of all of the material covered in such a short movie. Well edited and directed.

[–] Goomba01 16 years ago

I loved the part where Dr. Haber says "Nat, Nat about this alien thing. . ." It was just hilarious.

"Don't tell me what I can't do."--John Locke (Lost)

[–] Billy_McAvoy 16 years ago

Nat, Nat about this alien thing. . . I think I've got it sorted out.....

yeah that was a great one! That whole scene was pretty funny.

...Guess What S1m0ne! We have now entered an age where we can manufacture fraud faster than our ability to detect it

[–] !!!deleted!!! (156688) 14 years ago

As for the low budget, the only problem I had was with the alien ships flying overhead (red blobs) otherwise I think the movie still holds up pretty good, including the "cute" aliens! :)