Byrdz If you like seemingly bottomless plot holes and unexplained characters and occurrences and merciless twanging of the sentimental heartstrings, "Three Wishes" is surely for you. From start to finish it has more questions than it has answers and it suddenly and rather desperately runs like mad to the finish line trying to tie things up in a neat little bow but fails miserably.Patrick Swayze is once again a ghost (unless of course he is an angel, this is NOT made at all clear). The neighbor kids all inexplicably dislike and bully the older brother. The younger brother is a scared and weird little boy with no reasons given for his behavior. There is a totally meaningless opening sequence with the rest of the film being a flashback. Mom is attractive. Her wanna-be beau is a bit of a creep. The drifter is first verbally abused (for no reason) by the local cop and then released from the hospital to sleep on a park bench. It's ALL a mystery. Was the drifter a professional baseball player ? Is he now an exhibitionist ? Do we care ? Will mom fall for the creep ? Will mom fall for the drifter ? Again, do we care ? What's with the little brother and the dreams, visions, nightmares ? Do we care ? Answer to all three is a resounding NO !No complaints about the acting as it is done as well as can be expected in this manipulative, confusing mess. Most appealing character is the dog ! A Real cutie !

jpmarin546 I actually read a review that Siskel and Ebert gave this movie in my local newspaper. They both said this movie was horrible and gave it a few more bad reviews. Can't remember what it was, but when I saw the movie, I loved every minute of it. This movie basically shows how a simple act of kindness can bring a family closer together in times of desperation. I enjoyed how much thought went into producing such a heart-warming tale and so many times when I watch it, it makes me understand what the family goes through and sympathize with them. For people who want a movie that can truly bring a family together and show that even the most difficult things that occur in life can have a way of working out, this movie will definitely show you that.

jazerbini It's a great movie. Did not claim to be, but it was very well prepared and contains a very strong message and unusual. If an analysis of the film from the point of view of psychoanalysis, possibly conclude that the film shows nothing more than the desires of each family member. Just that. Are dreams that help support the reality. The role played by Swayze reminds me gunslinger Shane, a character from the magnificent film directed by George Stevens, who was the angel savior, the redeemer, the expected stranger who comes, does its job and disappears.Reconstitution of 40 and 50 is high quality and the atmosphere created in addition to the excellent performance of Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio elevates this film to a level not imagined, I believe, by their makers. Very good.

SHAWFAN Certainly a mixed bag of comments on this one. I'm definitely one of this film's boosters. I saw it long ago on a motel tv in the middle of the night and have never forgotten it. My memory was that it was an 80s movie; I suppose because most of the plot was set in the 50s. When I rediscovered that it was made as late as 1995 I was quite surprised. The fact that women directors and writers were so heavily involved with this movie explains its beautiful emotional resonance. Even now as I write this I'm again deeply moved by the whole story and its telling. To me it's right up there with films like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street," etc. Recently TCM has been featuring great women screen writers like Frances Marion and April Guy Blache. I'm glad to discover that women are still and again strongly contributing to our collective screen world of emotions and feelings. Too bad this sensitive approach seems to turn some of your reviewers strongly off. Perhaps it's a gender thing.