Electric Dreams (film)

Electric Dreams is a 1984 science fiction romantic comedy film directed by Steve Barron (in his feature film directorial debut) and written by Rusty Lemorande. The film is set in San Francisco, focusing on a love triangle between an architect (Lenny Von Dohlen), a cellist (Virginia Madsen), and a personal computer named Edgar (Bud Cort) that gains sentience.

The film was produced by Virgin Films, and is noted for its new wave soundtrack and visual style, reflecting Barron's background as a music video director. The score was composed by Giorgio Moroder, and the soundtrack features the hit single "Together in Electric Dreams". The narrative repeatedly has been cited as a modern retelling of the classic 1897 French play Cyrano de Bergerac, exploring the intersection of human emotion and technology. The film's premise reflected the cultural zeitgeist of the early 1980s, and its production coincided with Time magazine naming the personal computer its "Machine of the Year" for 1982, signaling the technology's integration into domestic life.

Electric Dreams was released in the United States by MGM/UA Entertainment Co. on July 20, 1984, and in the United Kingdom by 20th Century Fox on August 17, 1984. It was a commercial disappointment and received mixed reviews from critics upon release, but has since developed a cult following and drawn comparisons to the 2013 film Her.