Summary
- Dandelion
‘s attempt to evoke emotion with vintage symbolism falls short due to awkward music, angles, & not much chemistry between the leads. - Cloying music & sentimentality linger in a narrative that could benefit from a leaner edit with catchier tunes for a brisker pace.
- The film has noble intentions, studying the sad realism of when to give up on your dreams, but is told with too much sappiness and artificiality..
As a fan with a critical eye, I was disappointed by Dandelion’s attempt to evoke deep emotions through its vintage symbolism. Despite the noble intentions of studying the sad reality of giving up on dreams, the film fell short for me due to several reasons. The cloying music and sentimentality felt forced, and the narrative could have benefited from a leaner edit with catchier tunes for a brisker pace.
The film “Dandelion” aspires to tug at heartstrings, drawing comparisons to the classic Gold Top Les Paul guitar symbolizing faded dreams in the storyline. However, this overly sentimental narrative of a disheartened Cincinnati singer-songwriter undergoing an unlikely creative renaissance through a whirlwind romance, holds noble artistic intentions but lingers excessively.
A Struggling Musician Meets a Dashing Biker
At the upscale hotel bar where she performs weekly, Dandelion (KiKi Layne) dons her cherished Gibson guitar and delivers a raw rendition of “Hey Jealousy” by Gin Blossoms. The patrons, engrossed in boisterous chatter, disregard her performance. Disappointed, Dandelion dejectedly takes a seat at the bar following a subpar show. Brandy (Yvonne Palmer), her dearest friend and bartender, brandishes a flyer for an upcoming band showcase in South Dakota coinciding with Bike Week. Skeptical, Dandelion questions the wisdom of performing before a crowd of rowdy bikers in the isolated heartland.
Dandelion, played by Melanie Nicholls-King, makes her way back home to tend to her sick mother. Jean’s health is deteriorating, evident in her persistent coughing fits and the need for oxygen tubes. As for Theresa, or Dandelion’s daughter, she must find employment with regular hours due to her failed attempts at breaking into the music industry. Her efforts have been fruitless after years of trying, leaving her facing the possibility of becoming a 40-year-old musician with little more than poverty to show for it.
Dandelion makes a difficult choice the next day, but she’s further eviscerated by her mother. She races to her car and drives into the night sobbing. Dandelion goes to South Dakota out of pure desperation. She has nowhere else to go. The packed streets of roaring choppers, painted breasts, and leather-clad ruffians make her uneasy. She’s stunned when a crude heckler targets her. A futile chase leads to an unexpected savior. The dashing Casey (Thomas Doherty) comes to her rescue on his motorcycle. He’s also a musician. Would she be interested in a nearby jam session?
A Sappy Whirlwind Romance
In the film “Holler,” directed by Nicole Riegel, Casey is portrayed as a chivalrous hero straight out of a Harlequin romance novel. With his lean physique, rugged good looks, and wispy hair, it’s no wonder any damsel in distress would be instantly captivated. When he serenades her with his soulful singing around a campfire, dandelions seem to transform into melted butter. Her interest in him is undeniably piqued, and she eagerly agrees to join him by the camper for further musical discussions.
Dandelion’s connection with Casey deepens as they take leisurely strolls in nature, go on picturesque bike rides together, and collaborate on music under open skies. Casey brings tranquility to Dandelion’s turbulent emotions and enhances her songwriting abilities while igniting an awakened passion. However, despite his charming presence and seemingly idyllic companionship, Dandelion harbors doubts. Her skeptical nature, to Casey’s frustration, finds it hard to accept such a flawless scenario. Why can’t she simply savor this moment of newfound romance and creativity? What could potentially spoil an already wonderful encounter with a man she met just the day prior?
In Dandelion, a Star Is Not Born
In Riegel’s portrayal of their romance, the visual elements come off as overly sentimental. Through deliberate cinematic techniques, genuine encounters appear contrived. The excessive application of crossfades, facial close-ups, and skewed camera angles aims to narrow the perceived distance between the characters, presumably to foster a stronger emotional connection. However, the frequent focus on Casey’s singing, with an emphasis on his lips, eyes, and hair, can be interpreted as an overt homage to physical beauty rather than character development. Consequently, the audience is left with little insight into the growth or evolution of the two characters.
The music in this production fails to elicit a positive response from me. Many of the original songs feature melancholic melodies and lyrics that I found unappealing, evoking Dandelion’s mood but growing tiresome over extended periods. Listening to these musical scenes feels like being trapped on a train, enduring a street performer’s poetry with no respite or option to disembark. While this may be subjective and dependent on individual tastes, it is safe to assume that Dandelion and Casey’s tunes are unlikely to become chart-toppers.
The most convincing belief of Dandelion lies in the hard truth of knowing when to persist or surrender. For those harboring artistic ambitions, the cold hand of financial practicality often proves an insurmountable obstacle. In this film, we encounter a character named Casey, who is no longer a musician but rather a salesman. His debates with former bandmates about the importance of perseverance despite failures are experiences that many can relate to. As Dandelion contemplates giving up, her resolve is rekindled through their unexpected encounter. Casey serves as an inspiring figure for her, though the film could have more effectively conveyed this through less wandering and improved musical elements.
As a big fan of cinematography, I’m thrilled to share that “Dandelion” is a collaborative project between IFC Productions, Automatik Entertainment, BondIt Media Capital, and other esteemed production companies. At the moment, this captivating film is being rolled out for limited theatrical screenings, graciously brought to us by IFC Films.
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2024-07-14 21:32