"Have Dreams, Will Travel" is quite a surprising movie, I wouldn't call it a great movie, but certainly it has some good things and the general feeling is quite special.
The storyline is, at least, weird and hard to believe: a couple of 12 year old kids, one of them a parricide, being capable of traveling all alone through the USA is very improbable, but it's the behavior of most of the adults involved in the story that is even less realistic. The behavior of the two main characters is also quite surprising, and, may I say, contradictory: the unbelievable maturity of the two preteen when it comes to face their emotional problems and romance contrasts with such reckless actions like departing from home and the protection of adults, who, by the way, are themselves portrayed rather childish.
The conclusion is that it's not a story about aging kids (and, definitely, not suitable for children) who follow their hormones in a crazy adventure, but about adults facing adult problems, but fit in children's bodies. But that, together with the dramatic darkness at the end, is what makes the special feeling.
In the end, the film would have little good without the starring couple. While adult roles are well-performed, they are not challenging, and it's the talent of the young Caydon Bayd (as Ben) and AnnaSophia Robb (as Cassie) that shine and give deepness to the film. Being put in the challenge of playing adults, they show an extremely convincing acting, showing an understanding of different emotions much beyond expectations. AnnaSophia Robb is specially brilliant playing her very complex character, going through sweetness, anger and despair. Her dramatic power in some scenes is overwhelming.
The storyline is, at least, weird and hard to believe: a couple of 12 year old kids, one of them a parricide, being capable of traveling all alone through the USA is very improbable, but it's the behavior of most of the adults involved in the story that is even less realistic. The behavior of the two main characters is also quite surprising, and, may I say, contradictory: the unbelievable maturity of the two preteen when it comes to face their emotional problems and romance contrasts with such reckless actions like departing from home and the protection of adults, who, by the way, are themselves portrayed rather childish.
The conclusion is that it's not a story about aging kids (and, definitely, not suitable for children) who follow their hormones in a crazy adventure, but about adults facing adult problems, but fit in children's bodies. But that, together with the dramatic darkness at the end, is what makes the special feeling.
In the end, the film would have little good without the starring couple. While adult roles are well-performed, they are not challenging, and it's the talent of the young Caydon Bayd (as Ben) and AnnaSophia Robb (as Cassie) that shine and give deepness to the film. Being put in the challenge of playing adults, they show an extremely convincing acting, showing an understanding of different emotions much beyond expectations. AnnaSophia Robb is specially brilliant playing her very complex character, going through sweetness, anger and despair. Her dramatic power in some scenes is overwhelming.