Dreamland (2006)

Dreamland is an introspective little indie drama concerning the life of Audrey (Agnes Brucker). She lives in a sleepy trailer park way out in the desert somewhere, far and away from anyone else. She longs for a life somewhere else, but is torn between that and caring for her agoraphobic father (John Corbett), who is severely broken following the death of his wife and her mother. Fresh life is breathed into their environment with the arrival of kindly Herb (Chris Mulkey), and his musician wife Mary (Gina Gershon). Along with them is Herb's son Mookie (Justin Long is a tad miscast), who immediately has eyes for Audrey. The two strike up an easygoing romance that is tested by her rebellious nature, and the commitment she feels for her ailing father. Corbett is sensational, giving the best performance of the film as a damaged soul that needs caring for, and to find the strength to move on. Mulkey and Gershon are real life guitars strummers, giving their characters an authentic, earthy feel. The title matches the tone nicely; everything is non rushed, relaxed, laid back and dreamy, as one would imagine life out there might be. I was lulled into the hazy routines and moving relationships that bloom for these individuals out on the far side of nowhere. Great stuff.

This is one of those movies that chills the heat out of your bones. It depicts a world in which white trash circles within its own boundaries and can't seem to escape from it. It's a movie about feelings and how to handle them in your daily business. Two young girls seem to be stuck in a provisionary trailer park called "Dreamland", those two girls only have themselves to cling to until a new family moves in, one of the new members is a college boy that aims at being a star at pro-basketball at a the local club. He's just a jerk with little prospects but he impresses both girls and hooks up with the one who has MS and is due to die soon. Maybe it's his compassion, that is not clear, she's the most beautiful of the two (not to my opinion), well if you like big breasts then maybe. However, the relation those two girls had, after the boy arrived deteriorates; for the girl with MS spends all of her time on him (who doesn't recognize that?) so the two girls don't have these long hours together reminiscing about their future anymore. But it's about more than that, it's about loyalty, caring for the ones next to you without consent, longing for an escape to break the inevitable circle of life. Despite some cheap scenes this movie is a desolate cry for help to the humans next to you, a solemn oath to the ones closest to you.

Yeah, okay, so it wasn't so trailer park trashy, but unless you have the emotional depth of a wading pool, you'll enjoy it.If you've ever been the girl that put others needs before your own instead of being the kind of person who only cares about themselves, you'll love this movie.If you have ever let your best friend have a boy you liked then regretted it and made bad choices in life, you'll love this movie.I could really identify with the main character. I'm also empathic, so maybe I felt it more deeply than the person who posted before me.All I know is I bawled like a baby for a good portion of it and even threatened my husband with bodily harm if he touched or breathed in the general direction of the remote control. (He has to watch the Weather Channel the second he walks through the door.) I liked the ending. If you're a deeper person than others, you probably will too.

This was an amazing movie. I swear, It was amazing. First off, Agnes Bruckner was a great actress. How she always makes the drama so real. It's almost as if she's not even acting. She's making it like "Dreamland" is her life. Second, Kelly Garner did great with the romance. Only thing is, she acted too much like Justin Long was her boyfriend. But she did the whole, "I'm dying" thing perfectly. When she was (Spoiler! If you don't wanna know, don't read.) hit by a car and put in the hospital, she made the drama more real than Agnes Bruckner did. Third, Justin Long was a terrible actor! He always looked like he was ready to say, "Can I try that again?" I mean, a 5'8, 28 year old playing some 19 year old athlete wasn't good acting. He was terrible! He made the movie seem more like a comedy than a drama/romance. Aside from JJL's bad acting, this movie was great. I highly recommend it.