MPAA Rating: R/Genre: Dark Comedy Fantasy/Stars: Nicolas Cage, Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera, Tim Meadows, Dylan Gelula, Dylan Baker, Kate Berlant, Lily Bird, Jessica Clement, David Klein, Cara Volchoff, Noah Centineo, Nicholas Braun, Amber Midthunder, Lily Gao/Runtime: 102 minutes
I think it’s safe to start this review off by pointing out that as precious as the idea of someone being the “person of your dreams” can be isn’t this something that could or should potentially be a lot more terrifying than as beautiful and/or romantic as the majority of society seems to think it is? I mean don’t get me wrong dear reader it is a nice sentiment, but I guess for me, having grown up on the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, I was always of the opinion that someone showing up in your dreams always meant nothing short of your impending demise. Of course, if the person in question who was showing up in people’s dreams was not Freddy Krueger, but instead cinematic icon Nicolas Cage I definitely think that the previous opinion would still stand. Not because Cage is a dream demon or a serial killer by any stretch (at least I don’t think that’s the case). Rather, it’s because Cage has long been such an unpredictable and more than slightly wild member of the cinematic community that there really is no way to determine just what in the world the man would do if given the chance to infiltrate people across the planet’s individual psyches while we all engaged in that timeless and age ol’ tradition known as sleep. Or at least that used to be the case dear reader. I say that because the relatively new slice of cinema I am reviewing for you today, 2023’s Dream Scenario, is a film that presents us as movie goers with the aforementioned idea as its key narrative hook. Yet despite the fact that it sadly makes for one slice of cinema that isn’t quite able to execute it’s truly ingenious narrative to its fullest possible extent, there is also no denying that there is more than a fair amount to respect and admire along the twisted path that this cinematic journey takes you on. To be fair, its helmer’s career might not be as lengthy as others in the long and storied history of cinema, but even so it is delightfully loopy concepts like the one this film is operating with that definitely have me wanting to keep a closer eye out for anything he chooses to tackle in the future. In the same vein it should also be said that despite the fact that lead star Nicolas Cage has long been one of my favorite actors, this slice of cinema definitely contributes to a collection of standout performances he has gotten the chance to give audiences as of late. Suffice it to say then that, with the aid of additional more than capable work elsewhere both behind and in front of the camera, Dream Scenario is very much the cinematic equivalent to an odd dream you have that might not go where you think, but at least it doesn’t make you wake up in the middle of the night screaming about how awful it was.
The plot is as follows: Dream Scenario gets its rather unusual narrative underway by introducing us to our main hero who takes the form of a guy by the name of Paul Matthews. A man who, among other attributes, is a bald and more than slightly dweeby schlub who, having a voice that would make even Steve Urkel cringe aside, really doesn’t seem to have it all that bad if I’m being that honest. At least that’s what I would like to think about a guy who has achieved tenure in his university teaching job and has a fairly good relationship with his wife Janet and their two daughters Sophie and Hannah respectively. Sadly, despite having those positives in his life, we see that there is one thing that to our main character is really keeping him from attaining what he views as “true satisfaction” in his life. That being no more or less than a desire to stand out from the crowd in some way. Unfortunately for Paul we see that it isn’t long before the phrase “be careful what you wish for” decides to come and play in his life. This is because shortly after our story gets underway, we see that Paul is present in, of all places, a dream one of his daughters is having. A dream that turns quite perilously for the daughter due to all the things falling from the sky, but is also fairly darkly hilarious due to the reserved and stoic presence in the same dream of Paul simply standing there and raking leaves without once feeling a desire to step in and try to save his daughter’s life. Yet before too long we see that this visit to Dreamland is by no means limited to just his family as first we see an ex-girlfriend of Paul’s literally approach him whilst he is out and about with his wife to say (much to the wife’s confusion I am sure) that she has seen him in her dreams only to then eventually snowball into a bigger and bigger phenomenon that soon makes its way across the planet. Yet despite our hero really basking in the fame and spotlight that comes with being the most distinct kind of viral celebrity this side of those idiots who thought doing the Tide Pod challenge on TikTok was an absolutely amazing idea and in no way a direct assault to their health and wellbeing, he does wish that his presence in all the dreams of these individuals who have been seeing him would be a bit more….interactive shall we say. Suffice it to say that it isn’t too much of a spoiler to say that his presence in the dreams does begin to change. As for how it does and the effect that this begins to have on not only other people’s lives, but also his own as well however that is something I think I shall leave for you to discover for yourself dear reader….
Now right off, it is worth noting that the work done behind the camera on this slice of cinema is not bad yet not as great as it could have been either. For starters there is no denying that with this film and his other cinematic efforts that this film’s helmer really is starting to conjure up for audiences a creative resume that definitely gives me the vibe that Yorgos Lanthimos does whenever he makes a film. This is because, much like the latter, there is a bleak nuance and a fairly ominous vibe to the works of Borgli even when the material being presented is comedic in nature. This degree of unease is definitely on display with the work done by the cinematography department as we see that they, under the skillful hand of Benjamin Loeb, are able to present each shot as if it is occurring in the haze that comes about just before one falls asleep for the night. Thus even though quite a bit of the film has only a pair of settings at best, we still that the partnership of Loeb and Borgli is able to ensure that these instances are distinguishable for their degree of gloom and shadow respectively. We also see that, for the vast majority of the film, that its helmer is having an absolute blast in mining as much potential from his main narrative hook as he possibly can. Perhaps the key example of this is a genuinely comedic scene where our main character has a meeting with a marketing group that then lays out plans for him to be utilized in, among other things, soda ads and even doing something alongside Barack Obama. Indeed not only are these moments of perceptiveness toward how fame could be incorporated into this scenario creepy in their degree of accuracy, but they are also truly funny as well. Y the same token, we also see that the director and his leading actor get to have an absolute blast with how this film handles the various dreams that the main character crashes. To be sure, they might start out as just simply hilarious, but as the film goes on we see that it brilliantly lets Cage lean more and more into the kind of over the top loony he has become known for bringing. Yet even though the core concept presented to us here by director/writer Borgli is one that is fairly clever especially in the way that it (pardon the pun) leads to the main character becoming famous overnight, we do see that he sadly fumbles the ball a wee bit in the final third of the film. This is because the film decides to try and say something about the concepts of not only cancel culture, but just how odd some ads really have become. Now if the film had presented us with a take one way or another on these things at any point up to the final third that would be one thing. As it is though, it at best gives off the vibe of being an odd curve in an already kooky cinematic excursion and at worst feels more like the director/writer was able to locate an intriguing idea yet ran into problems coming up with a conclusion to that idea that felt both organic and comprehensible to everything that had come before it. No it doesn’t tank everything that comes before it, but it will definitely leave you scratching your head in befuddlement. Suffice it to say that when you also factor in a wonderful musical accompaniment from Owen Pallett it’s clear that there is skill to be found in the work done behind the camera even the landing isn’t made as smoothly as it ought to have been.
Of course, it should be said that for all the issues this slice of cinema possesses behind the camera it does work admirably well in front of the camera. Perhaps the most significant example of this is the fact that this slice of cinema is one that gives us another iconic turn out of its legendary leading man. Indeed be it via the gloriously gonzo Mandy, his spot-on vocal performance as Spider-Man Noir, or even the comedically yet purposefully over the top take on himself presented in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent among others there is no doubt that we as movie goers have truly been treated to some downright phenomenal work here in the past 10 years or so from one of the more eclectic actors of his generation. Suffice it to say that his turn here is one that fits into that category easily. More than that though, I am also convinced that his work here is easily some of the more comedic we’ve gotten from Cage in some time. Yet it’s not just because of the fact that Cage brings this character to life in a way that resembles his criminally underrated work on the criminally underrated Adaptation from 2002 albeit if it had the degree of subtlety from his work in such movies as 2021’s Pig for example. Rather, it’s because of the fact that Cage is just able to wonderfully showcase the character of Paul less as a caricature and more as an actual human being we can (initially) sympathize with only to have that sympathy continually challenged as the film goes on. More than that, there is a genuine unease/continual anxiety to the character with particular regard to when he tries to be funny or is not quite able to react to his celebrity in a manner that is even remotely proper which Cage does a wonderful job of presenting to us. Suffice it to say that it might not win him any awards, but it definitely serves as yet another example of this iconic talent’s undeniable skill as a thespian. We also are treated to a wonderful co-starring turn here from Julianne Nicholson in the role of Paul’s loving and devoted wife Janet that manages to match the work done in this slice of cinema by Cage remarkably well. Indeed not only does Nicholson bring a charming degree of humor to the overall film to say nothing of a potent degree of level-headed realism courtesy of moments where, via her dialogue and actions, we as movie goers are very much reminded of the “real-world” relationship that is starting to come under duress due to Paul’s actions/ ever-inflating ego, but we also see that she and Cage have a chemistry together that is truly second to none. As a result, not only are their scenes together, but also her overall performance made incredibly pathos-driven to the point that don’t be surprised if you actually find yourself holding back a tear or two. Suffice it to say that when you also incorporate into this cinematic blend superb efforts from a game support cast including the always enjoyable Dylan Baker, Michael Cera (who I swear looks less like the head of a viral marketing company and more like a millennial take on Quint from Jaws), Kate Berlant, Dylan Gelula, Nicholas Braun, Noah Centineo, Amber Midthunder, and the always hilarious, and 90s SNL royalty to boot, Tim Meadows as the dean at the college Paul works at among others it’s clear that there might be some issues with this film overall, but the work done by the cast is definitely a dream come true.
All in all and at the end of the day is Dream Scenario a perfect slice of cinema? Nope. Nada. Not even close. Having said that however, does that make this the worst slice of cinema for its lead actor since he decided to star in (take your pick; he does have quite a few entries on his resume that could definitely this particular blank)? Thankfully, I can also say that is most assuredly not the case either. To be sure, this slice of cinema is one that I can say is sadly guilty of biting off a wee bit more than it could handle in terms of narrative material, but even with that in mind there is still a significant amount to both enjoy and appreciate here. Indeed the work done behind the camera is both highly well-done to say nothing of quite insightful even if the landing is one that I am sure the director/writer is dreaming right now he could have fixed up just a little bit more. As for the work done in front of the camera by this undeniably talented cast of players, it too is incredibly engaging to say nothing of wonderfully led by an absolutely winning turn from an actor who has long been one of modern cinema’s more intriguing talents. Suffice it to say then that for some Dream Scenario will be a dream come true and for others it might just be the very cinematic equivalent for a waking nightmare that you will wish you had never walked smack dab into. As for this writer however, I am of the belief that this is one slice of cinema that is purely and simply undeniably engaging and fairly thought-provoking from beginning to (darn near close to the) end. Now if you’ll excuse me; I have to go and find a way to ensure that Nicolas Cage doesn’t make his presence known in my dreams for the 4th night in a row. Nothing personal against Mr. Cage, but you can only see his turn in that atrocious Wicker Man remake in your sleep so many times before you start to want to dream about happier things. Like his role in Face/Off for instance. Make of that dear reader what thou will. On a scale of 1-5 I give Dream Scenario “2023” a solid 3.5 out of 5.
