The Lathe of Heaven (1980)<\/p>\n
Portland\u2019s history is memorialized in hundreds of movies, but its speculative future? Rarely seen on film. <\/p>\n
Adapted from Ursula K. Le Guin\u2019s quintessential, Portland-set 1971 sci-fi novel, The Lathe of Heaven is one of the few examples. In it, our dystopian future looks a lot like a brutalist office park in late-\u201970s Dallas, where the movie was shot. <\/p>\n
Still, the vision is strangely convincing. This adaptation employs precious few exterior shots\u2014and a lot of rain outside dark windows\u2014to cultivate both empty grandeur and claustrophobia. <\/p>\n
These are forces that serve Le Guin\u2019s psychodrama, in which a lonely young man, George (Bruce Davidson), reveals to his court-appointed psychiatrist (Kevin Conway) that he has \u201ceffective dreams\u201d\u2014meaning his dreams can change reality. <\/p>\n
The low-budget film (produced by New York Public Television) doesn\u2019t really try to convey the worldwide scope of George\u2019s all-powerful dreams and instead tees up an affecting philosophical battle between the patient alienated by his power and the psychiatrist who believes he can use it to improve the world.<\/p>\n
The Lathe of Heaven screens Feb. 8 at the Tomorrow Theater. After the screening, acclaimed Portland novelist Leni Zumas will appear in conversation with Le Guin\u2019s son, Theo Downes-Le Guin.<\/p>\n
Also Playing:<\/p>\n
5th Avenue: I Am Not a Witch (2017), Feb. 6\u20138. Academy: Mulholland Drive (2001), Mean Streets (1973), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Feb. 4 and 5. Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Harold and Maude (1971), The Ascent (1977), Feb. 6\u201312.Cinema 21: The 400 Blows (1959), Feb. 7. Cinemagic: Andrei Rublev (1966), Feb. 5. Retroactive (1977), Feb. 6. Clinton: If I Were…Harap Alb (1965), Feb. 4. Black Girl (1966), Feb. 5. Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), Feb. 6. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Feb. 7. Hollywood: Speed Racer (2008), Feb. 4. This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Feb. 5. Muriel\u2019s Wedding (1994), Feb. 7. Make Way for Tomorrow (1937), Feb. 7 and 8. Dirty Pair: Project Eden (1986), Feb. 8. When Harry Met Sally… (1989), Feb. 9. Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. (1992), Feb. 9. Shogun Assassin (1980), Feb. 10. Tomorrow: Naked Acts (1996), Feb. 5. Waiting to Exhale (1995), Feb. 6. No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics (2021), Feb. 7. The Princess Bride (1987), Feb. 8. <\/p>\n
Willamette Week\u2019s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office.<\/p>\n
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