Tweet
Writer-Director Kristoffer Borgli's film reminds you of that dream you had which you thought was so intriguing – but, you can't quite remember the details. DREAM SCENARIO's has a fine hook: What if you people started having dreams about YOU? Even people you've never met?
Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) is that man. A mild mannered biology Professor at a small college with a wife (Julianne Nicholson) and two daughters. His daughter Sophie (Lily Bird) and an ex-girlfriend are among the dreamers – and, soon, too, are some of his students. Before Matthews knows it, he becomes as superstar on social media. Things go awry when the dreams start to become darker and darker.
Borgli's film is oddly inert for much of its running time despite the compelling idea at its center. There's a matter of factness that plays out too flatly. Part of it, is that we see little of the dreams themselves – not to mention that they are from somebody else's POV, not Matthews'. Further, Cage sometimes overplays the characters' nebbishness. You can sense Cage “acting normal” (he's better in those scenes where he relaxes). The other performances are fine including Tim Meadows as an exasperated Dean.
To be fair, it's clear that Brogli is making more of a commentary on fame and the Tik Tok generation than he is about, well, Dream Scenarios. There is, perhaps, a nod or two towards “cancel culture” and a reflection of how Matthews views himself, but it never really goes anywhere terribly interesting. It's Charlie Kaufman lite, as it were. The pacing and mundane filmmaking are such that the viewer can see where the guideposts are – seemingly before the movie itself. The grainy 16mm cinematography by Benjamin Loeb is a nice touch and does add a nightmarish quality.
DREAM SCENARIO is a decent enough diversion even if it ends up feeling just frustratingly out of reach – just like the details of that fantastic dream you had.
DREAM SCENARIO is currently available to stream on MAX, as well as for rental. It's on Blu Ray and DVD.
Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) is that man. A mild mannered biology Professor at a small college with a wife (Julianne Nicholson) and two daughters. His daughter Sophie (Lily Bird) and an ex-girlfriend are among the dreamers – and, soon, too, are some of his students. Before Matthews knows it, he becomes as superstar on social media. Things go awry when the dreams start to become darker and darker.
Borgli's film is oddly inert for much of its running time despite the compelling idea at its center. There's a matter of factness that plays out too flatly. Part of it, is that we see little of the dreams themselves – not to mention that they are from somebody else's POV, not Matthews'. Further, Cage sometimes overplays the characters' nebbishness. You can sense Cage “acting normal” (he's better in those scenes where he relaxes). The other performances are fine including Tim Meadows as an exasperated Dean.
To be fair, it's clear that Brogli is making more of a commentary on fame and the Tik Tok generation than he is about, well, Dream Scenarios. There is, perhaps, a nod or two towards “cancel culture” and a reflection of how Matthews views himself, but it never really goes anywhere terribly interesting. It's Charlie Kaufman lite, as it were. The pacing and mundane filmmaking are such that the viewer can see where the guideposts are – seemingly before the movie itself. The grainy 16mm cinematography by Benjamin Loeb is a nice touch and does add a nightmarish quality.
DREAM SCENARIO is a decent enough diversion even if it ends up feeling just frustratingly out of reach – just like the details of that fantastic dream you had.
DREAM SCENARIO is currently available to stream on MAX, as well as for rental. It's on Blu Ray and DVD.
Comment