THE STORY – Dandelion, a struggling Cincinnati singer-songwriter in a downward spiral, takes a last-ditch-effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota where she meets Casey, a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago. As Dandelion joins Casey’s nomadic group of struggling musicians, the kindred spirits make music together and strike up a whirlwind romance. The experience moves Dandelion from a narrow view of success to a deeper appreciation of her artistic journey, and the discovery of a voice that is authentically her own.
THE CAST – KiKi Layne, Thomas Doherty, Melanie Nicholls-King, Brady Stablein, Jack Stablein & Grace Kaiser
THE TEAM – Nicole Riegel (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 113 Minutes
Dandelion (KiKi Layne) is trying her best to follow her dream, but the world is making it rather difficult. She plays at a hotel bar for both money and exposure, but no one is paying attention. This is a shame because Dandelion is a lovely singer and guitarist. Afterward, she cares for her sick mother, who is not supportive or even considerate of her daughter’s emotions. It seems as if Dandelion is in a never-ending cycle of despair because she’s not getting recognition for her musical talent or from her mother. After an explosive fight with her mother, Dandelion drives as far as her car can take her: South Dakota for a folk competition. There, she is able to escape from her world and just live in the world of music and artistic expression. It is there where she meets Casey (Thoman Doherty), a charming Scottish musician who becomes her mentor and encourages her to play. During the film, Dandelion creates music with Casey, a collaboration that not only helps her find her voice but also gives her the courage to figure out her next move.
If there is one reason to see “Dandelion,” it’s Layne’s performance, which is easily her best performance since “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Layne showcases Dandelion’s innate talent and quiet urge for more in her life. She doesn’t want to be famous per se, but she clearly wants to make enough money from music in order to earn a living. It is evident that Dandelion breathes music, and with that artistic spirit, a layer of vulnerability is added. She’s someone who constantly opens her heart because she feels like she has no other choice but to play and sing, so when it is met with zero audience engagement and constant rejections, it withers the soul. Layne is able to portray Dandelion’s open wounds, which show her hurt and the struggles of being an artist in a capitalistic world, but never diminish her raw love and talent for music and song. The audience can see that, no matter what, Dandelion’s love for music overcomes the conflicts of the world. And, this is evident in the original songs throughout the film.
Additionally, Lauren Guiteras’s cinematography is a reflection of Dandelion’s love. Guiteras employs a significant amount of extreme close-ups and double exposures to depict the serene and vibrant South Dakota nature, instruments, and the faces of Layne and Doherty. The visual beauty of these shots is truly captivating and deserves to be experienced on the grandest screen to fully appreciate its grandeur. Guiteras’s visual narrative effectively portrays the union of two individuals, both falling in love and creating music together. However, it also hints at the possibility that Dandelion might be losing herself in Casey, his charm, and his music. Guiteras and writer/director Nicole Riegel’s collaboration effectively captures a hypnotic element in the scenes where Dandelion and Casey perform together, revealing that the artists are conjuring something alive and magical. Yet, there is also a palpable sense of danger, adding an intriguing layer to the narrative.
However, the screenplay is too simplistic and formulaic. “Dandelion” follows the basic beats of a young character study and coming-of-age film that deals with music and the artistic struggle. While the standard plot may not surprise its audience, Riegel’s focus on the surface-level struggles of these themes is still rooted in drama and worth showcasing on film. Despite the lack of originality, the film attempts to connect with the audience through its characters, making their struggles relatable. With a runtime of 114 minutes, the film may lose steam in the middle, but it still offers a narrative that could keep the audience’s attention.
“Dandelion” has much going for it visually, but its skeleton is relatively weak and elementary. On one hand, this is a shame due to the film’s incredible music and performances – especially Layne, who collaborated on some of the songs. It is still a fine addition to the “Artistic Struggle” sub-genre of film, but “Dandelion” is more successful in its imagery. It’s quiet and meditative, but for a film of this style with this length, it needs a stronger screenplay to support it.