Newdrivehome Blog # 31
(A24’s “Dream Scenario”)
I will say this…this is the first film I’ve been asked to write about and this one, is so surreal and is just about current cancel culture as it is about the dark side of synchronicity. (If there is a such thing).
I watched this brilliant film after sent an advance copy to write about…I watched three times over the past couple days between regular work and life’s nonsense. I understood the message from the first watch, but I wanted to write about this film without giving spoilers. Which, that alone showed to be difficult.
This film starts with college professor Paul Matthews who is played by the always fantastic Nicholas Cage. And I must say the depth and awkwardness he played in this character is memorable. Essentially the film starts with a few others outside of Matthews life having dreams about him and it starts to gain traction (viral attention, if you will). And throughout the journey things become more darker and difficult…as it does these days with the pros and cons of anything going major internet viral.
The movie follows the opportunistic consumerism (in part thanks to Michael Cera’s character as a marketing agent) and real life backlash of being apart of these types of scenarios.
It was very overwhelming watching this film and trying to find the fantasy of it because based on how the world works these days and how it seems synchronicity does exist and is more visible recent.
Watching the dream that starts so unbelievable and fantastically perfect, slowly drive into a nightmare happens quick and really happens without much of real “truth” from our main character. I grew close to Cage’s character throughout the film…he really is a good hearted, good man and really didn’t have much say over the events though-out the movie.
Towards the last watch I found myself trying to find the heart of this film and I did towards the end…the REAL heart, when the protagonist (Matthews) is trying to connect with his newly separated wife, via technology. Without getting too deep (giving spoilers) into what that means it just showed me that…we all are in the same boat. The comedy in this movie has a unique way of showing the dark comedy in the world today. It reminded me of the surreal set we are walking into each and every day and how important it is to stay grounded into the REAL world around us. I can’t be one of the only ones whose dreams have been more surreal recent…whether that’s based on the information highway being so available & accessible or other means is yet to see.
Just remember, dreams are an escape but reality is where we live and die. Even in the dark days…I think life can be funny, goofy, and unpredictable…which what I saw watching this film.
“Dream Scenario” is currently on limited release and releases wide on November 22nd in theaters! And streaming next month.
Newdrivehome 
Leave a comment