Dandelion movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Dandelion

This musical drama is now playing in theaters.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 53 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B+

FEATURED Product for this movie review:

Kiki Layne’s mix tape: https://amzn.to/4bDfBgA

IN A NUTSHELL:

The movie is about a young singer/songwriter in a downward spiral as she takes a last effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota where she meets Casey, a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago.

The film was written and directed by Nicole Riegel. Already, the film has been nominated for two awards at a couple of film festivals.

THINGS I LIKED:

Kiki Layne is fantastic in this! We knew she could act but now everyone knows she can sing beautifully too! Her final musical number is terrific.
Thomas Doherty is a delight with his cute Scottish accent and sooth singing voice.
We get to hear some really great music, as well as discover musicians like Brady and Jack Stablein of Brother Elsey. I had never heard them before. This movie will have a really nice soundtrack.
I liked the opening scene where Dandelion strings up her instrument with detailed care, showing us she truly wants to be a respected artist.
The movie isn’t just a story about a character, but a look at art and creativity.
I like how Dandelion sings quietly, a bit unsure of herself, at the beginning of the movie when she still doesn’t quite know who she is and what she wants to say to the world. The film’s evolution and unveiling is kind of like that too.
Dandelion’s bartender friend asks Dandelion “What kind of audience do you want?” That’s a really great question! I ask my author clients that exact same question when they come to me for their first coaching session. The first thing to figure out when you want to sell something is “Whom do you want to serve?” How do you want to make the world a better place?
Whenever I’m in a restaurant or venue with performers, I always try to clap after each song so the performer doesn’t get discouraged. We see how discouraged performers can get in this film.
The cinematography by Lauren Guiteras shines a spotlight on americana and the music scene in South Dakota in a lovely way. I loved her close-up shots of Dandelion and Casey walking in nature with their fingers almost touching. You could feel the chemistry and sexual tension. That was so much more powerful to me than just watching them go at it full on, later in the movie. Subtlety is better.
I’m glad that we have shows like American Idol, The Voice, and America’s Got Talent to help unknown artists showcase their talent and get a break. Do you ever watch those?
We get to see an adorable prairie dog park. I love their little “Wahoo’s”.
Dandelion calls one of her songs “Ghosts of Cincinnati” which I think would have been a great title for this movie, rather than simply “Dandelion.” Now, that being said, we learn at the end of the movie how Dandelion got her name and it is sweet.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Sometimes, it’s hard to understand what everyone is saying.
The whole time Dandelion was in South Dakota having fun with her music and her new romance, I was worried about her sick mom and wondered how she was doing.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Young kids will be bored. Teens might view this as a cautionary tale.
We see topless women who have painted their skin with patriotic designs
Smoking
Alcohol
Some profanity
A mother is sick
A single girl and a married man go at it (we see her topless on top with sound effects and movement)
We see people behave badly because they’re hurting in various ways.

THEMES:

Making your dreams come true
Comparing yourself to others
The definition of success
The power of music
Relationships
The financial struggle of those who want to make art
The kindness of strangers
Connection

FUNNY LINES:

“What’s your name?” – Casey (Thomas Doherty) “Dandelion.” – Dandelion (Kiki Layne) “No” – Casey “Well, it’s the name I’m giving you.” – Dandelion

INTERESTING LINES:

“Having Instagram followers don’t make you good.” – bartender friend
“Get a REAL job so you don’t have to go around selling your stuff.” – Jean (Melanie Nicholls-King)
“Let yourself get lost in the landscape of the song.” – studio guy
“I don’t want to be a 40-year-old troubadour.” – Dandelion (Kiki Layne)
“Music is a way of living.” – Brady Stablein