Dreamin' Wild

A gem of a story, reminiscent of a short story by Sherwood Anderson, Richard Ford, Eudora Welty, Raymond Carver, Jim Harrison, or the Irish writer Claire Keegan. There's a surface plainness and apparent accessibility, seemingly easily penetrable.

But small issues of moral choice build up, we see mature feelings wrestle with the idealism of youth.

Characters we thought we could easily understand become more complex. This focus on the seriousness of life goes to the heart of the matter: family loyalty, honor, compassion, forgiveness (and self-forgiveness). "Dreaming' Wild" has a fundamental directness that casts a profound, direct light on the austere interior of the Emerson family.

Its precision and pacing is writerly, it gives the viewer time to think.

Remarkable performances by Casey Affleck, Beau Bridges, Walton Goggins, Noah June, and Jack Dylan Grazer. And Chris Messina.

Casey is mesmerizing in this. No one else could play this part either. It's a beautiful, sweet and incredibly shot film. No one overacts, and so much is said without words too. Beau Bridges at his best. Walton and Zooey go deep too. There isn't one laugh, but you won't notice. It's heavy, deep, nostalgic, and reminds us what we do for love and faith in people, and the responsibility or guilt that comes with it. The music is great too. In a summer of big movies, this small movie shines brighter. Sure to become a cult classic and win awards. Loved every minute of it. I don't give tens, ever. This deserves my ten rating. Catch it in theatres this week, but it'll grow in popularity on stream for certain.

This was a sweet story, art house for sure, and a bit slow. It is moody, and needed another rewrite and an edit to pick up the pacing. As is, the story does not do the massive talent onscreen justice. And they are excellent, so it is the direction that is the problem. Too slow, too disconnected and belabored. It is the pacing of the writer/director that is the problem.

Too many scenes of people doing nothing, driving, partying in the distance for too long, and on and on.

Casey is clearly brilliant as usual. He is really the king of understated performances, and suprise talents, like being a musician.

Basically it is a quiet, understated story, running a bit too slow.

IN A NUTSHELL: This heartful movie is based on the true story of musical duo Donnie and Joe Emerson, who spent everything they had to produce a record in the 1970s. After thirty years of obscurity, their music was suddenly hailed as a lost masterpiece.

The movie has already been nominated for the "Graffetta d'Oro for Best Film" at the Venice Film Festival in 2022.

The film was directed by Academy Award and Emmy-nominated Bill Pohlad, who also wrote it with Steven Kurutz.

THINGS I LIKED: We all knew Zooey Deschanel could sing, but I didn't know Casey Affleck could! They make a great pair in this movie, although I would have loved to see and hear Zooey more than she appears in the film.

The rest of the great cast includes Walton Goggins, Beau Bridges, Chris Messina, and young actors Jack Dylan Grazer and Noah Jupe. Well done!

The movie was filmed in Spokane, Washington in 2021.

I think a lot of viewers are going to be able to relate to the story of trying to be successful, yet not quite getting there when they want to. It's an inspirational story that will encourage you to be persistent and never stop dreaming.

We get to hear clips of some really great music.

We get to see some video clips of the real people the movie is based on at the end of the movie.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Some viewers might be confused by the timeline and flashbacks.

I thought it was interesting that we don't see the opening credits until 20 minutes into the movie.

I would like to have learned even more about the brothers and where to find their music today. For example, are they making more albums? Are they still actively performing? How can we support them?

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Some kids may be bored.

Siblings fight.

No profanity or objectionable content.

Kissing.

With its toe-tapping music and sincere performances, Dreamin' Wild definitely entertained me and I believe will enrapture pop-rock fans as well as those who have never heard of Donnie and Joe Emerson. The film tells a true story with immense heart. It is shot elegantly and the story is fascinating; the at-times flat narration is the only chink in Dreamin Wild's armor.

Dreamin' Wild opens in the rural Pacific Northwest, as singer/songwriter Donnie Emerson (Casey Affleck) and his family, are approached by a representative from Light in the Attic, who says he thinks the album Donnie and his brother Joe (Walton Goggins) recorded as teenagers is the next big hit. When the album, also named Dreamin' Wild, makes its rounds, it is hailed by music critics as a lost masterpiece. And whereas the brothers see this stroke of luck as a second chance for stardom, it also unmoors other deep-seated emotions, fears, and hopes, as Donnie, Joe, and the family come to terms with the past, present and possible future.

The moving story is shot with clarity, care and craft; the lighting and framing do justice to the Emersons' bucolic hometown as well as their eclectic and ethereal 'jam space.' Casey Affleck has somewhat patented the 'damaged man exploring his trauma' trope, perhaps because of his real-life experience fending off his demons with alcoholism. That takes nothing away from his deep performance as Donnie in Dreamin' Wild. His portrayal of emotional damage and hope is enough to keep you gripped. Walton Goggins is equally spectacular. Every dialogue-heavy scene is followed by the brothers jamming, and then another dialogue-heavy scene; this format gets a little tiring by the 60-minute mark, but the plot developments and emotional performances redeem the film's at-times slow pace.

Dreamin' Wild encourages following your dreams but staying grounded, being hopeful but never forgetting where you've come from, and caring for your family and yourself.

I give Dreamin' Wild 4 out of 5 stars. By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST!