I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS (2015) – The Review

Into the noisy chaos of summertime at the multiplex, offering a quiet diversion from the super-heroes and natural disasters, is a gentle comedy/drama/romance aimed at a most neglected movie audience: the seniors. Or, the AARP crowd, if you will. Their favored flicks usually arrive in the later part of the year (for Oscar noms), or in the early Spring/late Winter. The studio execs are often stunned when this demographic embraces a film. Such was the case with THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, which even inspired a recent sequel in addition to several US mature pairings like AND SO IT GOES. And in TV-land, those “Golden Girls” continue their popularity in endless reruns. This new film zeroes in on one such “golden gal” (well, she does have three BFFs) and provides a veteran actress of stage, screen, and TV with the role of a lifetime as the main focus of I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS.

The film begins early in the morning as sixty-something widow Carol Peterson (Blythe Danner) awakens in the bedroom of her comfy suburban California home, pushing aside her beloved old pooch. We see her routine in quick succession, until one morning the pup is not sharing her bed. And not responding to her call. Her canine companion’s time is up. Returning home from the vet, Carol is horrified by the site of a rat scurrying through her kitchen. So horrified, that she sleeps outside that night, bundled on some pool furniture. This startles the new pool cleaner Lloyd (Martin Starr), but Carol’s explanation begins a new friendship with the young man. Later Carol re-joins her three girlfriends, frisky Sally (Rhea Perlman), focused Rona (Mary Kay Palace) and staid Georgina (June Squibb) for their weekly poker game. Rona thinks that Carol should join them and live at the country club/retirement complex, while Sally thinks she should jump into the dating scene. After a fruitless afternoon “speed-dating” seminar, Carol is approached in the parking lot by the club’s resident “catch” Bill (Sam Elliot), who had flirted with her at a pharmacy recently. Should she take another chance at romanc

As mentioned earlier, Danner grabs up this role like a football and runs it in for an acting touchdown. In recent years, she’s been best known as the mother of Gwyneth along with many grandmother screen roles (in THE LUCKY ONE and the FOCKERS series) and for being a TV commercial “spokeswoman” , but here she’s finally front and center, proving she’s still got the “chops” to carry a story. As Carol, she runs the gamut of emotions from overwhelming grief to giddy, blossoming infatuation. And we even get treated to her superb musical skills. Thankfully. Danner’s given an exceptional supporting cast, particularly her “poker sisters”. Perlman has a mischievous grin to match the sparkle in her eyes as she prods her pal into amorous action. Place is a delightfully prim “straight woman” to the antics of that frisky duo (a scene of her surprised during an early morning visit to Carol is priceless). Squibb is nearly the polar opposite of her Oscar nominated NEBRASKA character, but is equally engaging as the more reserved widow, who’s still up for the occasional adventure. In the film’s last act, Malin Akerman, an actress best known these days for her comedic TV roles, has a great rapport with Paltrow in her role as Carol’s visiting, very supportive, East Coast-based only daughter. The two are terrific especially as daughter Katherine assumes the more parental figure in the final scenes. As for the fellas’, Elliot exudes his usual silver-fox, crinkly charm as Carol’s persistant suitor. The guy is the embodiment of “laid back”, especially as he introduces carol to the relaxing joys of cruising (on the ocean). Unfortunately the writers have saddled him with an annoying affectation. With his always unlit cigar, I was reminded of the irksome male lead of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. The best addition of the film may be the wonderful turn by the splendid Starr who gained TV immortality as the lanky, loony Bill Haverchuck in the cult classic “Freaks and Geeks” and followed up with regular gigs on “Party Down” and the current HBO hit “Silicon Valley” in addition to being one of the Apatow supporting players (KNOCKED UP, SUPERBAD, and others). Here he gets to explore his dramatic side, while still being funny, as the somewhat lost thirty-something who somehow discovers a kindred spirit in Carol. Their conversations have a warm, natural rhythm, as they begin to guide each other in order to get back on their respective paths. Kudos also to the many veteran actors playing the “speed-daters” who elicit laughs and inspire sympathy.

In just his second feature film (THE NEW YEAR), director Brett Haley gives the film a real slice-of-life, easy-going vibe, never resorting to the melodramatic or grotesque. The film does make an ill-advised trip to dopey (pun intended) farce when the ladies very impulsively decide to toke up on some medical weed (lotsa’ munchies jokes), but otherwise the script by Haley and Marc Basch avoids any false notes. The cinematography by Rob Givens envelops the film in a warm, hazy glow while the music by Keegan DeWitt never telegraphs or overwhelms the emotions. It’s a great story to share with your mothers or aunties, but anyone can get something from Carol’s journey in I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS.

4 Out of 5

I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS opens everywhere and screens exclusively in the St. Louis area at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinemas