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He also coaxed top performances from his cast, especially the lead actresses. Tilly, with her otherworldly glamour, is a New Age evil stepmother; in her sleepytime voice, pod threats have the thrill of seduction. And Anwar (Al Pacino's dance partner in Scent of a Woman) plays Marti as honest, balky, easily bruised; already she has the edgy assurance of a pro slated for stardom. Her soft lashes and wary eyes, which make her look as if she has just been prodded awake into a nightmare, key this haunting film's message: that life has to be faced with eyes wide open. Otherwise . . . to sleep, perchance to scream.