Save your money for something good and enjoyable
One of the worst movies I've ever seen
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
View MoreThe film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
View MoreIt's not too often that we see a "coming-of-age" film that features an almost all female cast. Usually, the coming-of age movies center around boys or young men. If and when women are the center focus, it usually involves some sort of relationship or romance with a guy. Refreshingly and fortunate for us, Texas filmmaker Katie Cokinos flips the genre on its ear with 'I Dream Too Much', which focuses on a college-bound young woman who discovers herself, while staying with her great aunt in upstate New York.The film is lighthearted and easy going, with almost nothing at stake, but the dialogue between the college girl Dora (Eden Brolin) and her aunt Vera (Diane Ladd) is quite charming and fun. It worked for 'Gilmore Girls' and works here too. Cokinos puts the romance/relationship/drugs on the back burner here, and instead tells a story of Dora, who would rather be with her friends in Brazil before college, rather than have her overbearing mother force her into law school and to ace the LSAT. To escape the hell, Dora arranges an extended stay with her great aunt Vera (Ladd), who has just suffered a broken foot and needs help around the house.I wouldn't go as far as to say Vera and Dora hit it off very well. In fact, Vera is as cold as the bitter New York exterior at first, but it makes for some witty and funny dialogue between the two. Soon, Dora fins a few letters and diaries from Vera's famous literary uncle who has passed, as Dora begins to spark some new life into her creative mind and soul. She even has visions and dreams in the style of Jane Austen from time to time, which this movie has a ton of references too as well. It's quite a charming film with some fun characters and decent dialogue.There are some musical and funny moments when Dora meets Abbey (Danielle Brooks), who works at the local clothing boutique, and who wants to become a famous singer and get discovered by the big time music producer who lives in town. All these characters in their own way help Dora find her creative and expressive self, and it's a joy to watch, despite that there's just not a whole lot that happens, besides some great character transformations and development, along with some solid, witty dialogue.Eden Brolin is a newcomer to the film world and she delivers a wonderful performance. She's as cute as she is witty, and portrays a very realistic and likable young woman, trying to figure it all out. She's one to watch out for in the coming months. Diane Ladd is of course amazing here and shows that she still has that incredible talent that she's shown us for years now. 'I Dream Too Much' is a solid film that's easy to take in.RECOMMENDED!
View MoreAs 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.
View MoreIf Eric Rohmer hailed from New Jersey or Texas he might have conceived a character like Dora — a charming, pretty, bright young woman whose true desires remain somewhat inscrutable — particularly to herself. Being American rather that French, writer/director Katie Cokinos has made Dora a striver, but given her protagonist an irresistible screwball twist: Dora has a gift for throwing herself into others' dreams and aspirations.Yet, much like a Rohmer film, I DREAM TOO MUCH creates a self-enclosed social world whose mores and details are rendered with delicacy and subtle humor. Alex Rappoport's cinematography is stunning. The lush yet pristine snowy landscapes capture the fairy tale quality of both Dora's inner life and the Hudson valley. Winter becomes more than a season, almost a character whose stillness allows Dora to change within. Diane Ladd gives a tour de force performance as Dora's great aunt Vera — an imposing figure whose forthrightness, romantic past, and seeming incapacity to maternally dote on her grand niece prove to be just what Dora needs to jump start her life.There is a sweetness that suffuses I DREAM TOO MUCH that's rare to find in family dramas these days and seems to harken back to an earlier period. It imbues the film with a graceful, uplifting tone — almost a glow — that makes this sensitively directed film about inter-generational relationships between women feel timeless. The target audience for I DREAM TOO MUCH, which includes women of all ages, will surely look forward to Cokinos' next film.
View MoreA 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.
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