Have you ever had a dream that included someone you did not know? Was that someone Nicolas Cage?
Kristoffer Borgli’s “Dream Scenario” is about Paul Matthews, played by Cage, who is literally the man of your dreams. “Dream Scenario” was screened at The Putnam Theater from Friday, Jan. 26, through Monday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. Tickets were five dollars for the public and two dollars for Keene State students.
Paul is an average man who some might even say is boring. He is a college professor, a father of two and a struggling author. While at a movie with his wife one night, Paul runs into his ex-girlfriend from college. She begins to tell him that he has been appearing in her dreams, just watching her.
A few days later, Paul gets a few calls from different friends saying the same thing as his ex. He even has students telling him that he is appearing in their dreams. While average Paul is enjoying the attention for once, things start to go bitter when “Dream Paul” starts attacking the dreamers. Paul becomes one of the most hated men in America, for doing nothing.
This film is categorized as a comedy with some horror aspects to it. However, the film had a more dramatic feel to it. While the main character of the movie is pretty unlikeable, one would not wish his fate on their worst enemy. The ending of the film is more science fiction than anything else, taking away most of the emotions that the two first acts established.
The third act has a dream-related theme, like the rest of the movie. However, the film does not feel as if this could actually happen during this act. The first two acts are about a real person who is not rich, popular or likable. He is like everyone else in the world, the common man. The third act takes away the realness from the audience and exchanges it for an unrealistic, weird ending. It made me remember that I was watching a movie and not actual events.
While the story of the film might need some work towards the end, the actual cinematography of the film is beautiful. Shot on 16 millimeter film, the images of the film gives a realness to the audience. The grain of the film balances beautifully with the color palette and textures. The editing of the film is meticulously cut to have the dream world and real world flow smoothly. I found myself amazed with the tone shift and how fluidly I went from laughing to almost crying.
“Dream Scenario” is a fresh take on the science fiction side of dreams. While it had some weak moments, the film was still emotionally powerful. I loved watching the film on the big screen and being able to almost insert myself in the movie. While the film had some weak moments, I would probably watch it again.
My rating for “Dream Scenario” would have to be three and a half stars out of five! Next up at The Putnam Theater is “Four Daughters” directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. Until then, keep dreaming!
Mariah Rodriguez-Costa can be contacted at
Mariah.Rodriguez-Costa@keene.edu
