Alicia I love this movie so much

SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Ketrivie It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

bigmyc04 My title would refer to my reception of this movie and not any particular theme in the movie. In short, I thought the movie was great...especially in light of the conspicuous lack of fanfare over it. I discovered it through Netflix's "related searches" function and I must admit, the stylish "Cocktails and Dreams" motif sold me on it. One of the other reviewers mentioned that he/she didn't find the Mrs. Robinson character to be pretty and that she looked "old" in a few shots but that she was a good actress...well, how very magnanimous? I thought that she was also a good actress, but did the reviewer miss the point of her character? Common sense says, "yes." She might have looked "old" perhaps because she was an "older woman." Now, does this have much to do with her sensuous nature? Not to anyone who is relatively sophisticated. The point of her inclusion wasn't to present a centerpiece that would be coveted and fawned over, but to be an available sexual option that represented acceptance and opportunity.... That is the point of her character, not to be some sort of high status beauty queen. I would have thought that was obvious. More over, her apparent wrinkles in many scenes further serve to illustrate the urgency of her condition: fading beauty and quiet desperation. Her character was obviously a driving aspect of the movie, but the fact that the actress nailed the role while the script writers did such a great job with the character, boosted my appreciation for this film.

ghostvoices Maybe it's because I'm in the same age-range as director Robert Schwartzman..and because I'm also a white male musician. But this movie resonates more with me than anything I've seen in years! It's the only film I can remember within the past 10 years with an emotional resonance akin to the classic John Hughes films in the 80's. Excellent directing, casting, cinematography, sound-tracking choices make this a supremely enjoyable viewing experience.Yes, yes…the reference point I keep seeing is The Graduate. Rightfully so. But Dreamland breathes new life into that premise quite well thanks to outstanding performances from Johnny Simmons as the boyish, awkward & oblivious Monty and Amy Landecker as the sexy, wealthy, married older-woman Olivia. I have to wonder if the role was written specifically for Simmons, because I can't imagine another modern actor doing justice to this role the way he does. Additionally, Landecker is unbelievably sexy throughout, and gives a very convincing and even subtly emotional performance that does more to service the role of the older mistress than Anne Bancroft was able to portray as Mrs. Robinson.Also worth mentioning are excellent supporting performances from Frankie Shaw as Liz, Alan Ruck as Walter, Beverly D' Angelo as Marie, Jason Schwartzman as Peter, and Nick Thune as Jason the plumber. Specifically Schwartzman and Thune bring their strong comedic talents to the table! I've found myself quoting both of these characters in day to day life..great writing, great performances!Lastly, the sound-tracking to this film is impeccable. Robert Schwartzman's background in music really shines throughout Dreamland. The ambient pieces are beautiful and tie things together nicely. Theme song "Sad But True" is an EXCELLENT and potentially classic piece of songwriting. The use of Classixx's moody masterpiece "Borderline" as a theme throughout does the film does great service.This film might not be for everyone, but I can't say enough good things about it! Looking forward to future projects from Robert Schwartzman. I'd love to see him become this generation's John Hughes.

dansview This was so reminiscent of the coolest aspects of 80's romantic angst, set in L.A. The music was intoxicating and addictive if you like a sort of Tangerine Dream soundtrack, which I do. The classic moped, the street scenes with no people or traffic. It created that mythical quality of early 80's L.A. when it was still white and neon, and still the portal to young men's dreams. They even have a young white couple living in central Los Angeles, like they used to in real life.I've never heard of or seen the lead actor, but he was perfectly cast. He reminds me of a young Beau Bridges in Your Three Minutes are Up. The musical moments when he's on his moped last just the right amount of time and leave you craving more.But there's a deeper theme here for those thinkers who wonder what it was all about. They drew a clear picture, but you may have gotten lost in the dreamlike qualities. This young man had been smothered. First by his mother, then by his girlfriend's mother, and finally by a slightly psychotic "cougar." He had no confidence, and no fight in him. He had been fully emasculated and barely able to function in the world. Often those types lose themselves in dreams they can't fulfill, because they don't have the strength or courage to do so.The scenes with the older woman will make you squirm. This guy may be 30 in real life, but he looked very innocent, as he was supposed to. Call it a double standard, but that kind of thing when the woman is older creeps me out. It almost ruined it for me.In My Tutor in 1983, the woman was relatively young, and could not be the character's mother. The hotel manager character was also perfectly cast. Even his gay glance at our protagonist was done with perfect subtlety. I will search for the soundtrack, but will not give it another watch, due to the creepy sex thing. But nice job by the Schwartzmans nevertheless.

zif ofoz Here's the setup - Monty Fagan is on the low end of the economic scale working jobs and trying to get a loan to open his dream piano bar. His girlfriend has become bored with their life together and having to live with her mother. Monty gets a break to perform on piano at a very high end restaurant and there he is taken by Olivia who is very much on the upper end of the economic scale. This situation cannot go well!Director Robert Schwartzman presents a story any movie goer has seen before. Young man of average looks and struggling to make a life gets his heart stolen by a seductive older but beautiful and wealthy and bored woman. Each character is nicely performed and more entertaining, than being performed as being real. The plot keeps your interest with just enough twist, turns, and emotional suspense in the story to keep it lively.As stated above this is a good afternoon flick for easy entertainment.