Dreamin' Wild

Name: Dreamin' Wild
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Released: August 4, 2023
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Beau Bridges, Casey Affleck, Chris Messina, Jack Grazer, Katy Cavanagh-Jupe

2023

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Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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Dreamin' Wild

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Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: August 4, 2023 | PG

Starring: Beau Bridges, Casey Affleck, Chris Messina, Jack Grazer, Katy Cavanagh-Jupe, McKenna Ralston, Mellanie Hubert, Noah Jupe, Walton Goggins, Zooey Deschanel

Summary: Dreamin’ Wild, the true story of love and redemption, is about what happened to singer/songwriter Donnie Emerson and his family when the album he and his brother recorded as teens was rediscovered after thirty years of obscurity and was suddenly hailed by music critics as a lost masterpiece. While the album’s rediscovery brings hopes ofDreamin’ Wild, the true story of love and redemption, is about what happened to singer/songwriter Donnie Emerson and his family when the album he and his brother recorded as teens was rediscovered after thirty years of obscurity and was suddenly hailed by music critics as a lost masterpiece. While the album’s rediscovery brings hopes of second chances, it also brings long-buried emotions as Donnie (Casey Affleck), his wife Nancy (Zooey Deschanel), brother Joe (Walton Goggins), and father Don Sr. (Beau Bridges) come to terms with the past and their newly found fame. … Expand

Director: Bill Pohlad

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Music

Rating: PG

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

Rex Reed

Aug 4, 2023

A fact-based film about the life-altering pain of failure, the thrill of belated success, and the challenges inherent in both, Dreamin’ Wild is a testament to a musical family who epitomize the old saying “No matter how long it takes, if you wait long enough, your dream will come true.” Read full review

Kyle Smith

Aug 4, 2023

Dreamin’ Wild is an elegant appreciation of the many textures of aging, balancing the feel of rhapsodic memories and shuddery regrets. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Aug 7, 2023

This isn’t just a movie about reawakened ambitions, but about how our teenage hopes inform our grownup selves, or perhaps haunt them. It’s a lot to pack into a seemingly unassuming little movie, but Pohlad—who also directed 2014’s superb Love & Mercy—pulls it off. Read full review

Robert Abele

Aug 4, 2023

A well-cast, modestly affecting drama of the kind studios regularly programmed in the before-IP times, it boasts a generous heart gently dusted with life’s complications as it beats a familiar rhythm of easygoing redemption. Read full review

Karen Gordon

Aug 25, 2023

It’s a quiet, thoughtful movie that aims to be sensitive to the family, while plumbing some of the darker feelings that this late success wrought. Read full review

Bilge Ebiri

Aug 4, 2023

Dreamin’ Wild, as I’ve noted, has its issues: There are lines of dialogue so blunt that I actually found myself bursting out laughing during some pretty serious scenes. But great performances don’t happen in a vacuum, and credit should go to Pohlad for knowing exactly what to do with Goggins. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Apr 11, 2025

However earnest and heartfelt, the film doesn’t tell us nearly enough, or really anything, about Joe. Read full review

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MovieReviewMave

Aug 31, 2023

IN A NUTSHELL:
This heartful movie is based on the true story of musical duo Donnie and Joe Emerson, who spent everything they had to produce a record in the 1970s. After thirty years of obscurity, their music was suddenly hailed as a lost masterpiece.
The movie has already been nominatedIN A NUTSHELL:
This heartful movie is based on the true story of musical duo Donnie and Joe Emerson, who spent everything they had to produce a record in the 1970s. After thirty years of obscurity, their music was suddenly hailed as a lost masterpiece.
The movie has already been nominated for the "Graffetta d'Oro for Best Film" at the Venice Film Festival in 2022.
The film was directed by Academy Award and Emmy-nominated Bill Pohlad, who also wrote it with Steven Kurutz.

THINGS I LIKED:
We all knew Zooey Deschanel could sing, but I didn't know Casey Affleck could! They make a great pair in this movie, although I would have loved to see and hear Zooey more than she appears in the film.

The rest of the great cast includes Walton Goggins, Beau Bridges, Chris Messina, and young actors Jack Dylan Grazer and Noah Jupe. Well done!
The movie was filmed in Spokane, Washington in 2021.
I think a lot of viewers are going to be able to relate to the story of trying to be successful, yet not quite getting there when they want to. It's an inspirational story that will encourage you to be persistent and never stop dreaming.
We get to hear clips of some really great music.
We get to see some video clips of the real people the movie is based on at the end of the movie.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
Some viewers might be confused by the timeline and flashbacks.
I thought it was interesting that we don't see the opening credits until 20 minutes into the movie.
I would like to have learned even more about the brothers and where to find their music today. For example, are they making more albums? Are they still actively performing? How can we support them?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:
Some kids may be bored.
Siblings fight.
No profanity or objectionable content.
Kissing.… Expand

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