relaxalot As someone who craves movies about interesting people and who has no love for movies about "superheroes" or movies that glorify violence I was delighted to see this lovely heartfelt movie "I Dream Too Much." The movie revolves around a charming young woman played winningly by Eden Brolin who has a unique presence void of clichés and who has a fertile imagination which serves her in navigating her post college path. Her counter point in this movie is her irascible Great Aunt played with great charisma and conviction by Diane Ladd who is a standout in this production. The movie is shot in Saugerties, New York which is captured beautifully by DP Alex Rappaport. Writer/Director Katie Cokinos has made a movie you can enjoy for it's subtle currents of evolving sensibilities about the things that matter in navigating the contours of lead character Dora's life and may remind all of us about the importance of what we already have when we are searching for what we desire.

chegomista Good movies make it look easy, and really good movies leave you shaking your head wondering how they did it. I Dream Too Much gives us a very young woman who suffers from severe indecision and her elderly aunt who suffers from severe regrets, and it does it without recourse to plot devices and acting choices that might make your teeth hurt. The story is simple and affecting, a deceptively plain frame enclosing greater depths than you'll find in a standard entry from the sub-genres it technically overlaps -- stories of mentors and protégés, crusty yet lovable old people, coming-of-age empties and so on. The makers of I Dream Too Much struck gold in casting -- it's hard to imagine anyone bringing more freshness and honest confusion to the young woman's role than Eden Brolin, just as it is hard to imagine anyone wielding a wise tongue and bitter wit with deadlier accuracy than Diane Ladd.The writer-director, Katie Cokinos, clearly learned a lot from her own experiences of people at both ends of the generational divide. Brolin's character, like most 21-year-olds, can scarcely grasp the bliss of not knowing how many wicked tricks the future will play while it's swallowing the past; instead, she frets over what to do next, unsure of who she is. Ladd, in a fine, astringent late-career turn, looks back in anger as the memory of her late husband, a great writer and all-around dreamboat, is polluted by the Other Woman, now an author flogging a trashy memoir. It's a classic set-up: aunt and niece both have something of value to offer if they can only manage not to alienate and annoy each other half to death.I Dream Too Much benefits a great deal from the choice of Saugerties, New York in winter as its chief location. It's a lovely place, seldom seen on film and full of dormant possibility through most of the film, suddenly released in breathtaking shots of rushing water in the last act. Finally, there is a terrific supporting cast that includes Danielle Brooks, Christina Rouner, and the great James McCaffrey (an actor's actor on this terraplane, an overpaid leading man in a zestier world we are not allowed to visit).

ruthaflaherty-295-446423 What a delightful adventure. I was swept up with Dora as she explored her world after college and admired the way the film showed young and not so young women learning how to creatively navigate in the real world. It is rare to see a coming of age film revolving around a woman particularly right after college graduation. With a light touch, this film explores serious questions that any creatively minded person explores while entering the real world and all the opportunities that brings and shuts out. It touches on the courage necessary, along with imagination, inspiration, belief in one's self, etc. that one needs in one's tool kit to make it as a creative person in the real, often cruel world.

agoodrow What a treat to see the many, many faces of super talented Diane Ladd in the context of a coming of age story with a diverse cast. Danielle Brooks shines - breaking all stereotypes with her powerful performance. Eden Brolin makes her film debut as a naive millennial trying to find her way out of the nest of a helicopter mom who has choreographed her life up to college graduation. Viewers can relate to the inspiring mentor relationship between Vera (Diane Ladd) and Dora (Eden). Millenials and their grandmothers will be pleased to see the bond between generations. The sweeping cinematography captures the wintry chill of Saugertes, New York in a chilly, frozen time of the lives of the characters. Be surprised by new talents and new energy from the music and poetry.