Dreamin’ Wild – A Thought-Provoking Music Biopic

Dreamin’ Wild tells the true story of Donnie (Affleck) and Joe Emerson (Goggins) after an album they recorded as teens is rediscovered after thirty years of obscurity and suddenly hailed by music critics as a lost masterpiece. The album’s rediscovery brings hopes of second chances and brings long-buried emotions as Donnie, his wife Nancy (Deschanel), Joe and father Don Sr. (Beau Bridges) come to terms with their past and newfound fame. Reading that premise, one would probably have a good idea in your head of the type of film they are about to watch and the type of uplifting tone it may go for. However, to its advantage, it presents that story in a much different and more thought-provoking way. The film’s deliberate pace and quiet tone may not be for everyone and will likely turn off those looking for something flashy or a more traditional musical biopic, but for those willing to stick with it, it makes for a worthwhile experience.

Affleck is no stranger to giving great performances and here, he delivers yet another strong performance to add to his already impressive resume. His very understated and effective performance as Donnie Emerson is full of regret, pain, and guilt both before and after the album’s rediscovery, giving the film a lot more emotional depth than it would without it. He conveys a gamut of different emotions without uttering single word, resulting in arguably his best performances since his Oscar winning turn in 2016’s Manchester by the Sea. Meanwhile, Noah Jupe plays the younger version of Donnie in the past portion of the film where he gets to showcase more range than most audiences have commonly seen from him. Jupe carries the flashback portions of the film well and is easily the best part of them.

The supporting cast aside from them are all strong with Bridges delivering one of his best performances in years as Donnie’s father. He’s flawed, overly optimistic, and has just as much to regret in his past as the rest of the characters, but Bridges brings such a warm nature and genuineness to the character and the overall film that’s felt whenever he’s on screen or in a scene. Goggins doesn’t get as much to do as others as the film mainly tells the brothers story from Donnie’s perspective but he’s a great addition to anything and creates a believable brotherly bond with Affleck. Also, shoutout to Chris Messina who’s a joy in everything and is already having one heck of a year.

The entire film gives audiences a fly on the wall perspective as they are watching this family’s life as something big and completely unexpected is happening to them and maintains that same sense of intimacy throughout. While obviously not its biggest appeal, it also offers a glimpse inside a certain side of the music industry and what exactly would happen when a record and its artists become relevant again which will surely be fascinating for some audiences. Although quiet on the surface, the film has a lot on its mind and lets one dive deep into the characters and their headspaces if they are willing to do so.

Where Dreamin’ Wild somewhat falters is within the flashback portion of the film and in its overall length. The flashbacks aren’t bad and are kept afloat by Jupe’s excellent work but they don’t feel entirely necessary considering how much of the films they take up. While they provide context, there didn’t need to be as many as there were and that same context could have come through dialog. They also cause the film to feel a bit longer and drag ever so slightly in the middle. That being said, it’s thankfully never boring but the story does feel a bit stretched out by the end. While this is understandably Donnie’s story and he deserved to have the central focus, it’s a bit of a shame that audiences aren’t given a bit more time with the other members of his family.

In the end, Dreamin’ Wild is a solid drama that hopefully won’t go overlooked or unnoticed this year when its released. While its slow pace, storytelling, and structure may turn some off, effective performances, an interesting true story, and strong direction from Bill Pohlad help make this worth keeping on your radars.

still courtesy of levelFilm

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Connor Carey

www.connorsmoviereviews.com/