Three Wishes MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: -1

In this fascinating fantasy, Patrick Swayze plays Jack McCloud, a roving ex-serviceman whose leg is broken when hit by a car in a small California town.The driver of the car, single mother Jeanne Holman (Mary Mastrantonio), feels so badly about his injury that she invites Jack and his faithful dog to stay with her and her two young sons until his leg heals. He is very reluctant to do so, but acquiesces, and soon becomes one of the family. The oldest son, Tom (Joseph Mazzello), is particularly drawn to Jack as a father figure and persuades him to help train their losing Little League baseball team. Jack agrees and proceeds to employ Zen Buddhist meditation and mind discipline techniques to put them on the winning track. Also, Jack and his dog help Tom's younger brother, Gunny, to overcome some of his imaginary fears. Further, in his own mysterious way, Jack grants one wish each to Jeanne, Tom and Gunny and assures them they will come true. All the while, Jack and Mary are becoming attracted to each other, but everyone is wondering if Jack will go back to his wandering ways. Also, everyone is wondering if the wishes will come true. THREE WISHES is a magical experience which will tug at the heartstrings and make viewers feel good all over.

Jack is a fantasy figure and has magical powers to make wishes come true, but really doesn't have an occultic nature. However, his use of Zen Buddhist techniques is portrayed favorably as it helps the baseball team to win. Also, he tells the team that everything contains its opposite and suggests that if they try not to win, they will. This idea seems to be taken from the Chinese yin-yang cosmological concept. Jack is a loving, gentle person and helps the family in many ways, and he and Mary are secretly attracted to each other. One evening, he comes into her bedroom and they kiss, implying that sex will follow. Some hells and damns are spoken , as well as one moderate crudity and one s-word. Jack displays brief rear nudity once, but the film is free of any sexually suggestive dialogue. THREE WISHES is mostly a decent film, but is marred by some rough language, implied acceptable promiscuous sex and the favorable portrayal of eastern religious concepts.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Savoy Pictures Entertainment, 152 W. 57th ST., 38th Floor, NY,NY 10019