Daydream Nation - dvd review

"I'm the main character of my life"-Caroline Wexler

I can't think of a better movie with an old premise using a new twist. This is rather indie, but what a great cast. Amazing writing. And beautiful cinematography. I loved the way the story was broken down in to other people's stories, as well.

Reese Thompson doesn't have to do much on the screen to make him totally believable. His Thurston is full of dead on emotion. Honestly, I'd never seen him in much. But he truly should be the IT guy, this year. Maybe. Hopefully, he'll have a long span of success in acting and movies. I could truly grow old with his Thurston. Add the sex bomb Kat Denning's to the cast. Perhaps I shouldn't label her. But this is the story of her character, Caroline who moves to a small town. And out of nothing else better to do, she succumbs her fragile high school teacher, Mr. Anderson.

Each of the main three characters have their flaws and problems. Each see what they want to see in each other. Add a dark story of a killer in town and peer pressure that unravels in bits and pieces by the potheads who like to use household cleaners as well, Calum Worthy, Landon Liboiron and Luke Camilleri.

This is a movie that revolves around faded memories, love and death. Its a remarkable film that doesn't over do it, either. It is quite natural  how the story played out.

I must add Calum Worthy was totally worthy of his deadhead performance in this film. His Craig has a true realization of what could become of him and yet he has his friends to contend with that want him to be just like them. Just as Josh Lucas echos a teacher who might have been somebody great, but he hasn't a clue what even went wrong.

And Kat Dennings gives this complex performance of the competent young woman that she is. But as she keeps telling people "You don't even know me.." One wonders if she even knows herself. I loved the 'idea' of riding through life, gingerly on a bicycle, as her character does. Yet, she is learning that love and sex are not the same. Yet, even Mr. Anderson doesn't even know this. All the while, its Thurston who grieves, yet takes every moment head on.

This is truly a gem of a movie and the playlist is unstoppable with Ohad Benchetrit, Emily Haines and the soft skeleton, and Stars. Also Andie MacDowell along with Rachel Blanchard pulls the movie together with remarkable performances. Michael Goldbach definitely has to write and direct more films. This has to be the start of more films from this guy.

STORYLINE: Tells the story of a city girl who moves to a small town and becomes entangled in a love triangle between her high school teacher and a stoner classmate.
credits 

First loves can be the wisest of all. I loved this little side story of Thurston's little sister and the boy next door.