The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
Posted on July 28, 2009 at 12:00 pm
B+| Lowest Recommended Age: | All Ages |
| MPAA Rating: | PG for mild language |
| Profanity: | Mild language |
| Alcohol/ Drugs: | Some drinking, scenes in a bar |
| Violence/ Scariness: | Bar fight |
| Diversity Issues: | Set in Latino community of LA |
| Date Released to Theaters: | 1998 |
| Date Released to DVD: | 1998 |
| Amazon.com ASIN: | 6305268851 |
This is a wonderful, magical movie!
Based on the short story and play by Ray Bradbury (who adapted for the screen), this is the story of five poor men who pool their resources to buy one magnificent, beautiful, white suit, each hoping it will make his dream come true.
One man is a political speaker, one is a musician, one is a con man, one is in love, and one is homeless and filthy.
Originally selected on the basis of size (all of them have to fit into the same suit), they find that they have more in common. All feel ignored and alone. As each gets to wear the suit for one hour, each finds it a thrilling and transforming experience.
The cast is sensational. Joe Mantegna plays the con man who puts the deal together with the thought of taking the suit on a one-way trip out of town, but who thinks better of it after he puts it on. Esai Morales (“La Bamba”) plays the musician whose guitar-playing draws every female in hearing range out into the street for a joyous dance. Newcomer Clifton Gonzalez Gonzalez (now Clifton Collins, Jr.) is a delight as the young man who wears the suit to find the courage to approach the beautiful woman he has adored from afar. Activist Gregory Sierra (TV’s “Barney Miller”) finds that people cheer his speeches when he wears the suit. And under all that grime is Edward James Almos (“Stand and Deliver”) as a homeless man who embraces life (and the girlfriend of a mean guy called “El Toro”) when he wears the suit.
At the end of the evening, the young man says, “This morning I had no friends, but tonight I have many friends.” You will feel you have made some, too.
This movie gives families a great opportunity to talk about dreams, cooperation, and self-confidence, and to think a little bit about what they would do if they had a wonderful ice-cream suit.
Hooray for Brad-buray! I remember this play very very well. I think we even performed it in class shortly after it was published (I am indeed that old). It was a fantastic work for middle school and older elementary kids. But explaining what an “ice cream suit’ may take a lot of work these days. Now the ice cream venders are a suspicious lot that most parents would not allow to have contact with their kids.
Hi!
I rented this movie years ago from blockbuster and viewed it with my young children…it was WONDERFUL!!!! I tried to find it today at Blockbuster and Netflix and I was unable to locate it at either…..where can we obtain this movie???? I would love to show this tom my nieces and nephews!!
Thanks, Heidi
I am thrilled to find other fans of this wonderful story, play, and DVD! Unfortunately, the DVD is out of print. There are some expensive copies on Ebay. Perhaps a local library might have a copy, too. Here’s hoping it comes back into print because I think it is really special.