Dreamland movie review for discussion

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DREAMLAND, out now on DVD, is about a young woman who lives in a desert trailer park having to choose between caring for her depressed father and sick friend or fulfilling her own destiny. The film was directed by Jason Matzer and stars: Agnes Bruckner, Kelli Garner, Justin Long, John Corbett, and Gina Gershon. Set in the desert, the backdrops in this film are gorgeous eye-candy and all of the lighting is perfect. Watching this movie is like watching emotion, captured raw and splayed out in artistic doses for the brain to comprehend. The actors all fit into their roles and the awesome scenery with ease. Agnes Bruckner plays the lead, a poetic new graduate with the smarts for college but too much heart to ever leave what she feels are her obligated duties at home. Kelli Garner plays the dying young woman who leans sometimes a little too much on her friend to care for her and help her cope with the future. Justin Long comes into the film as an outsider who comes between the girls when they both fall in love with him. John Corbett plays the father of Agnes’ character and Gina Gershon has a tiny part as Justin’s mother. The only issues I had with the casting choices were: 1. Justin Long; he does fine, but it is hard to see him in such a role. 2. The girls spend a lot of time sunbathing in the desert, but for some reason they aren’t exactly very tan, especially Kelli who is a very pale girl. The story in DREAMLAND does indeed incorporate some teen drama clichés into it, however with the mood set by atmosphere and good directing it works. I think teen girls will love this movie, yet everyone else can enjoy it as well without feeling like it is a guilty pleasure. A solid paced and beautiful film DREAMLAND is worth checking out if you are looking for your dramatic “coming of age” fix.