This is one of my favourite films from Emir Kusturica! I don't know what I find so special about it, but I think it's the overall vibe - a kind of trippy, dreamlike vibe punctuated by Kusturica's trademark manic energy.
In some ways, 'Arizona Dream' is one of the filmmaker's most subdued efforts. Put it alongside 'Underground', Kusturica's 1995 breakthrough, and it runs like it's on Valium - but that's also what makes it so special! In my opinion, 'Arizona Dream' strikes a balance that Kusturica was never able to repeat in his following pictures, which tend more towards the manic side.
But best of all is the imagery! If you know this director, you also know that you can expect some of the most unusual, beautiful, inventive images of all time! It's really a treat to watch a Kusturika film because you can actually become moved just by the rhythm of the images, no need for fancy dialogue, or complex plot twists: just watch the pictures, and they'll do the rest.
Having said that, there is no point in even trying to explain the story except to say that there are some wonderful performances from a young Johnny Depp, and some equally marvellous stuff from the ever beautiful Faye Dunaway and the always quirky Lili-Taylor.
One of Kusturica's best!