Overview
A whimsical journey through the surreal landscapes of Arizona, where dreams and reality intertwine.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- surreal
- witty
- melancholic
- late night cinephile viewing
- cult film night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a daring, visually dazzling, and liberatingly eccentric work of magic-realist tragicomedy, though its loose narrative is intentionally adrift.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The recurring halibut, flying imagery, and fantastical episodes blur Axel's ordinary life with his imaginary and emotional worlds.
Axel is pulled from naturalist work into his uncle's car business while the Arizona characters pursue extravagant visions of success and escape.
Axel's relationships with Elaine, Grace, Leo, and the surrounding family circle combine neurosis, dependency, romance, and tenderness.
Arizona's car-dealer culture, flying fantasies, accordion performances, turtles, and fish imagery become a flamboyant alternative to realistic Americana.
Films like Arizona Dream, and why
Wild at Heart
surreal Americana, eccentric characters, dream logic, and bittersweet comic drama
Delicatessen
magical realism, romantic neurosis, and flamboyant offbeat comedy
The Science of Sleep
eccentric family dynamics, whimsical fantasy, and emotionally tender absurdism
Movie Details
- Director
- Emir Kusturica
- Release Date
- 1993-01-06
- Runtime
- 142 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (803)
Cast
- Johnny Depp
- Jerry Lewis
- Faye Dunaway
- Lili Taylor
- Vincent Gallo
- Paulina Porizkova
- Michael J. Pollard
- Polly Noonan
- Tricia Leigh Fisher
- Candyce Mason
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Arizona Dream about?
- A drifting young naturalist is lured into an eccentric Arizona family whose romantic obsessions turn the American Dream into a feverish comic fantasy.
- What is Arizona Dream like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Arizona Dream as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Arizona Dream violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Arizona Dream as mild.
- What did critics think of Arizona Dream?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a daring, visually dazzling, and liberatingly eccentric work of magic-realist tragicomedy, though its loose narrative is intentionally adrift.
- Which films are like Arizona Dream?
- Films with a similar feel include Wild at Heart, Delicatessen, and The Science of Sleep.
- How long is Arizona Dream?
- Arizona Dream runs 142 minutes.
- Where can I watch Arizona Dream?
- In United States, Arizona Dream is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
