A Troubled and Ambitious Young Woman

Not very often can a movie centered on kids draw me in as well as this film did. The film is "Have Dreams, Will Travel", and it is a wonder. The film centers on Ben as its protagonist and he is played wonderfully by Cayden Boyde. His previous work includes 'Mystic River', 'Dodgeball', and 'X-Men The Last Stand'. Ben is a typical twelve year old boy. He has dreams of pitching in the major leagues, and is still looking for comfort from his parents. Unfortunatley he is out of luck with his parents. They are completely preoccupied with their own lives and give Ben little attention at all. Then one night, a tragedy occurs right outside his mothers diner and he meets the person that "Change[s] [his] life forever".
The film takes place in the 1960s south, although it is difficult to determine the time period early on. Entering the film here is Cassie, the films heart. This character is interesting because I almost view her as a protagonist and antagonist. She is played by the emensly talented Annasophia Robb. Annasophia's previous work includes 'Bridge to Terabithia', 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', and more recently 'Sleepwalking'. She too is a twelve year old girl, however she is much more mature than Ben at this point in their lives. From the beginning, we can tell, as can Ben, that there is much more to Cassie's story than she is letting on too. After an accident which leaves her arm broken and kills both her parents, Ben's parents agree to take care of her untill she is back on her feet. This troubles Ben because he cannot understand why they care enough to take care of her when they act like he doesn't even exist. Ben embraces Cassie and falls in love. He mentions that for the first time in his life he "cares deeply for another person". This manipulative girl speaks like a professor of philosphy and Ben can't understand her confident and cocky attitude. Cassie swears and does not talk as a normal girl of that age would. Cassie convinces Ben that neither of them have anything here and that they need a "Plan". This includes leaving their current situation and heading to Baltimore to live with her modern aunt and uncle. The trip begins and along the way they meet interesting characters ranging from cops, farmers, and happy families
Val Kilmer plays Henderson, a farmer who allows the kids to stay in the barn for a week or so. They learn, by observation of Henderson and his wife, that all adult relationships are subject to imperfections. Their own parents are not that strange. Cassie informs Ben it is time to be married. It will help the plan. At times Ben seems to be just going through the motions. As if Cassie is his new authority figure. The two make it to Baltimore and we meet the Aunt and Uncle. The two are played by Heather Graham and Dylan McDermott. Cassie's story becomes completley evident at this point and the movie really takes a beneficial turn.
This film relys on character struggle to keep us involved. I found myself really caring for these kids. The adults are nearly nonfactors throughout and that really helps to focus on whats important here. So, whats wrong with Cassie? This is the impending issue looming. Cassie's problematic story stems further back then the auto accident which took her parents from her. The issue she faced in life was forshadowed beautifuly in dream sequences throughout the film. In the end, the outcome was satisfying. I do however wish that the film had gone into more detail with Cassie's past. Ben is the main character, but Cassie's story is just as important. Its run time is a brisk 86 minutes. The film is not incomplete, it is not even lacking anything important. I guess I was just left wanting more.