Movie Review: Dandelion

 

Michael’s Movie Grade: A-

A simply beautiful indie film, 

Don’t let this movie’s seemingly simply storyline about two struggling musicians falling in love fool you. This is actually a very complex and beautiful meditation on music, love and passion. As this film takes a deep dive into the main characters’ passion for both music and each other the two seem to blend together. Perhaps the same passion is powering both or perhaps the two passions are so intertwined that they become indistinguishable. Unlike in a romantic comedy where the point of the film is to see the two get together, this movie is about the passion and drive they bring out in each other. In one fantastic scene the two are writing a song together. The visuals on the screen cut back between the two writing the song and the two having sex. Rather than coming off as gratuitous like many movie sex scenes can, it instead shows how the two writing this song together becomes more than just two writers calibrating. It shows that this is an intimate exchanging and blending of passions. The two are fully and completely giving themselves to each other without holding back. There are many such great scenes throughout this film, where director/writer Nicole Riegel brilliantly juxtaposes various visuals over lines of dialogue or songs that help bring new meaning to something that may be simple on the surface. 

Of course, for a movie about music, the music is incredibly important to whether or not it works. Luckily for us, the music is fantastic here. Much of this is due to KiKi Layne as the title character. Not only does she give a great acting performance, but her music performance is just as phenomenal. It also helps that the songs are great as well. Aaron and Bryce Dessner truly give us some incredible songs that are fantastic both musically and lyrically. I especially love how well the lyrics tie into the movie's story but would still be great songs outside of the film. 

This is a true gem.