I Dream Too Much

As someone who craves movies about interesting people and who has no love for movies about "superheroes" or movies that glorify violence I was delighted to see this lovely heartfelt movie "I Dream Too Much." The movie revolves around a charming young woman played winningly by Eden Brolin who has a unique presence void of clichés and who has a fertile imagination which serves her in navigating her post college path. Her counter point in this movie is her irascible Great Aunt played with great charisma and conviction by Diane Ladd who is a standout in this production. The movie is shot in Saugerties, New York which is captured beautifully by DP Alex Rappaport. Writer/Director Katie Cokinos has made a movie you can enjoy for it's subtle currents of evolving sensibilities about the things that matter in navigating the contours of lead character Dora's life and may remind all of us about the importance of what we already have when we are searching for what we desire.

A real life coming of age film. The main character is 20 years old and has just finished college. Her close friends are embarking on different paths and her mom has her own dreams she wants her daughter to fulfill. The script is beautiful in that it captures real life experiences within family without being over dramatic or too Hollywood. I can picture myself as each one of the characters as a past, current or future me! The cinematography is spectacular. The snowy scenes are dreamy and frequently capture an artistic sense that moves your heart with memories that may not be yours! Don't miss this warming peak into these charming characters' lives.

I do think this had the potential to be something really great. Unfortunately, it never gets there. It doesn't even come close. The acting in this is really fine and solid, and the characters have the outline for being great but what really stops the film from becoming that much more interesting is that the story doesn't always allow them to feel like real people, no matter how good the actors are trying. I don't just want to focus on the negatives however. It's still very watchable and walks a fine line between being obnoxious and endearing (just like its lead character, which I do admit I have to warm up to) but ultimately lands on the positive side. One can do worse than see this film, but one could also do better.

Good movies make it look easy, and really good movies leave you shaking your head wondering how they did it. I Dream Too Much gives us a very young woman who suffers from severe indecision and her elderly aunt who suffers from severe regrets, and it does it without recourse to plot devices and acting choices that might make your teeth hurt. The story is simple and affecting, a deceptively plain frame enclosing greater depths than you'll find in a standard entry from the sub-genres it technically overlaps -- stories of mentors and protégés, crusty yet lovable old people, coming-of-age empties and so on. The makers of I Dream Too Much struck gold in casting -- it's hard to imagine anyone bringing more freshness and honest confusion to the young woman's role than Eden Brolin, just as it is hard to imagine anyone wielding a wise tongue and bitter wit with deadlier accuracy than Diane Ladd.

The writer-director, Katie Cokinos, clearly learned a lot from her own experiences of people at both ends of the generational divide. Brolin's character, like most 21-year-olds, can scarcely grasp the bliss of not knowing how many wicked tricks the future will play while it's swallowing the past; instead, she frets over what to do next, unsure of who she is. Ladd, in a fine, astringent late-career turn, looks back in anger as the memory of her late husband, a great writer and all-around dreamboat, is polluted by the Other Woman, now an author flogging a trashy memoir. It's a classic set-up: aunt and niece both have something of value to offer if they can only manage not to alienate and annoy each other half to death.

I Dream Too Much benefits a great deal from the choice of Saugerties, New York in winter as its chief location. It's a lovely place, seldom seen on film and full of dormant possibility through most of the film, suddenly released in breathtaking shots of rushing water in the last act. Finally, there is a terrific supporting cast that includes Danielle Brooks, Christina Rouner, and the great James McCaffrey (an actor's actor on this terraplane, an overpaid leading man in a zestier world we are not allowed to visit).

This movie is light hearted, fun and has a solid message. It reminded me of Ann of Green Gables. The acting and story line are engaging. I'd like to see more movies like this being made that highlight women of substance.

There was one part that seemed as though it skipped ahead or somehow a scene was missing but overall the scenes flowed together seamlessly.

The story outlined in this movie helps shine light on the wonderful qualities of a strong-minded young women, especially when she is fortunate enough to find a quality mentor that can help guide but also grow from the relationship. Well done and highly recommended.