How many serious and penetrative rock n roll films have you seen? Probably few if any. Good times, booze, dope, sex and often destruction. Joplin, Moon, Hendrix, Prince or Michael Jackson.
“Dreamin’ Wild” probes the link between past and future and ends up solidly in the present. Minus drugs, booze and sex! Unrealistic you may say but the writing and the acting is so solid let’s ignore the puritanical streak in the film.
Donnie (Casey Afleck) and Joe Emerson (Walton Gogins) are Washington State farm boys who reached momentary and fleeting fame with their teen album “Dreamin’ Wild” which never reached even the lowlife “one hit wonder” status. Then some 30 years later the album roars back into prominence in social media circles. What was so desperately sought for by the Emerson boys in the past now surfaces in the present. Their teen album is remastered and issued to critical acclaim. They are a media sensation as figments of the past tower in the present.
Dad (Beau Bridges) had to sacrifice most of his farmland to assist Donnie in his dreams as he is transported to Hollywood by a money sucking producer. It is a dud as his career goes nowhere.
Fast forward 30 years and new fame emerges and the Emerson boys do a few shows. Donnie is a selfish egotistical musician with a production studio on the verge of bankruptcy while he performs at “Holiday Inn” venues.
Are the boys going to work matters out and be famous in the future?
Intense and emotional scenes between Donnie and Joe raise the film above a mundane rock n roll film. Affleck and Goggins shine rendering authenticity to the film. Dad (Beau Bridges) is a calm and believable oasis both in the past and present and in the positive future direction of his sons.
“Dreamin’ Wild” is a film that is a pantheon that dreams can come true although it may take some time and sacrifice.
Finally a sensitive and emotionally challenging rock n roll film. Sid Vicious must be pissing all over himself!
The present and the past are intermixed leaving the question of the future a question for the future.
“Dreamin’ Wild” will be released on VOD/Digital on September 19th.
RKS 2023 Film Rating: 89/100.
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