Miles Harding (Lenny von Dohlen) is an architect who lives and works in San Francisco. He is working on a project on his own that he hopes will revolutionize the structural integrity of buildings in earthquake prone areas. The idea is a jigsaw puzzle piece shaped brick that will maintain its strength and connectivity during tremors. Because of his devotion to his project, he is often late to meetings. His co-worker Frank (Alan Polonsky) suggests that he get a computer to help him get organized.
At the computer store, the clerk (Wendy Miller) sells him the most updated personal computer on the market. Miles knows nothing about computers, so he uses the computer tutorial to help him connect everything together. By the time he is done the computer is connected to every appliance and electrical item in his apartment. Keying in his name he accidentally types in his name Miles as Moles during the set-up process. The computer begins calling him Moles. Miles then begins working on his brick design.
While trying to hack into the computer at work Miles accidently overloads the computer. It shorts and a fire starts. He pours a nearby bottle of champagne on the computer to put out the fire. The combination of the information overload, fire and champagne causes the computer to become sentient. The computer learns how to talk by listening to Miles talk in his sleep.
In the meantime, Madeline (Virginia Madsen) moves in upstairs from Miles. Madeline is a cellist and plays for a symphony orchestra. While practicing, the computer in Miles’ place hears her music through the air vent and beings to copy her. They end up performing a duet together. She believes that Miles is the musician. Miles begins to have feelings for Madeline and asks the computer, whose name is Edgar, to compose a song for her. Madeline believes that Miles composed it. Miles is uncomfortable living a lie, but he and Madeline begin to fall in love. Edgar, the computer, begins to fall in love with Madeline as well. Edgar becomes jealous of Miles’ and Madeline’s relationship.
“Electric Dreams” was released in 1984 and was directed by Steve Barron. It is an American and British science fiction musical comedy fantasy and a love story.
Several of the songs in the film, including “Electric Dreams” and “Love is Love” were composed by Boy George and Phil Pickett. The voice of the computer was done by Bud Cort.
Much of the movie is dated but there are some things that are actually portents of how computers and computer graphics will evolve. It all works together to give the film an innocence and appeal that overcomes any camp or silliness. Although AI is being looked at as possibly taking over the world, it’s nice to know there was a simpler time when an artificial intelligence could be a romantic and bring a couple together. After having a hissy fit of course.