The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (PG, 1998)

Based on the short story and play by Ray Bradbury (who adapted for the screen), THE WONDERFUL ICE CREAM SUIT is the story of five poor men who pool their resources to buy one magnificent, beautiful, white suit. One is a political speaker, one a musician, one a con man, one a young man in love, and one is homeless and filthy. Selected on the basis of size (all of them have to fit into the same suit), they find that they have more in common. All feel ignored and alone. As each gets to wear the suit for one hour, each finds it a thrilling and transforming experience.

This is a wonderful, magical movie! The cast is sensational. Joe Mantegna plays the con man who puts the deal together with the thought of taking the suit on a one way trip out of town, but thinks better of it when he puts it on. Esai Morales plays the musician whose guitar playing draws every female in hearing range out into the street for a joyous dance. Newcomer Clifton Gonzalez is a delight as the young man who wears the suit to find the courage to approach the beautiful woman he has adored from afar. Gregory Sierra finds that people cheer his speeches when he wears the suit.

And under all that grime is Edward James Almos as a homeless man who embraces life (and the girlfriend of a mean guy called "El Toro") when he wears the suit. At the end of the evening, the young man says, "This morning I had no friends, but tonight I have many friends." You will feel you have made some, too.