Film: Daydream Nation
Cast includes: Kat Dennings (Thor), Reece Thompson (Rocket Science), Josh Lucas (The Lincoln Lawyer), Andie MacDowell (Four Weddings and a Funeral)
Writer/Director: Michael Goldback (Childstar, Odd Job Jack)
Genre: Irreverent Comedy, Romance, Satire (2010)
In brief: Caroline Wexler takes us back to “the year when nearly everything happened.” Her mom had just died and her dad takes a job in a small town. Being the new girl at school is always hard, but “Hargrove High is the most drugged-out high school in the whole country… it’s a real shit hole… everyone hates me.” Caroline tells us it’s tempting to “become exactly the girl they all think I am… a slut.” There’s one guy in her class, Thurston, who actually does like her. But Caroline’s taken an interest in the cute English teacher, Mr. Anderson.
In her new persona… a modern-day Madame Bovary… Caroline wastes no time seducing Mr. Anderson. “I flatter his ego by telling him that he’s handsome. No need to tell him he’s interesting or smart… that’s what coworkers are for.” Mr. Anderson can’t resist the charming and beautiful Caroline, but she has to promise she won’t tell anyone. As a cover, Caroline agrees to go out with Thurston. Soon Caroline is at the center of a love triangle… even though she’s not in love with Thurston or Mr. Anderson. We learn that Mr. Anderson… the adult in the story… is hopelessly infatuated with Caroline. He’s writing a novel, and Caroline is his muse. When he asks Caroline to read a draft, he thinks she’ll be flattered to learn she’s the main character. Caroline isn’t amused… “I’m not here to save you… I’m the main character in my life.” At this point, things are getting a little too weird… even for Caroline.
Add to this an assortment of other plot elements, including a serial killer on the loose and a lethal industrial fire that burns constantly… and this surreal story starts getting messy. With back-stories and side-stories woven throughout, it’s not always easy staying focused on the main story. But if you enjoy witty, irreverent dialog, Daydream Nation may still be worth seeing. This film could become a dark comedy classic if the storyline were a bit less chaotic. The main characters are deliciously warped and… it’s worth repeating… the dialog is very funny. Caroline has a minor pang of guilt about the havoc she’s causing, but points out “the sexual revolution is like any other… there’re going to be casualties.”
2 popped kernels
Absolutely loved the dialog… wish the plot had been less chaotic
Popcorn Profile
Rated: R
Primary Audience: Young adults
Gender Appeal: Any audience
Distribution: Mainstream limited release & DVD
Mood: Both upbeat and somber
Tempo: Cruses comfortably
Visual Style: Nicely varnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: Irreverent
