The 2023 production of Dream Scenario is black comedy, no doubt. But it is essentially weird and not so wonderful. The very strangeness it exudes takes over the comic elements. Nicolas Cage gives us another oddly nuance character with confidence problems.
The story
Paul Matthews, a professor with identity problems starts appearing in people’s dreams. He is at first amused. Paul then becomes hooked on the instant, unearned, celebrity. As the phenomenon spirals out of control, he loses his grip on the reality of his existence.
Paul’s journey takes him through the ups and downs of instant fame. Somewhat amazingly, his appearance in the dream world mirror his real life existence. The professor feels and acts inconsequential in his actual world. The dream state of his existence are an extension of his real limp personality.
The main cast
Nicolas Cage is Paul Matthews.
Lily Bird is Sophie Matthews. Paul’s daugter.
Julianne Nicholson is Janet. Paul’s wife.
Jessica Clement is Hannah. Paul’s other daughter.
Tim Meadows is Brett. Paul’s boss.
Dylan Baker is Richard. Paul’s colleague.
Smaller Roles
Michael Cera is Trent. The publicist.
Kate Berlant is Mary. Trent’s colleague.
Dylan Gelula is Molly another colleague of Trents. Her erotic dreams about Paul starts his descent into failure.
Surreal Walter Mitty
Kristoffer Borgli gives us a Walter Mitty of the dream world. This surreal look at fame and the cost of it is interesting. Despite Paul’s desperation and his anxiety in the new role as dream invader, the film is funny yet odd.
The erotric dream of Molly is off kilter. In the dream, Paul is the aggressor. When they attempt to reenact the fantasy, real life steps embarrassingly into the frame.
After the failed sexual tryst, the dreams with Paul in them become violent and disturbing. His students avoid any contact with the professor.
The whole experience is as if Salvador Dali and Sigmund Freud made a movie.
The Verdict
Dream Scenario is an odd duck. Cage gives us a disturbing and upsetting performance. Pompous and appears to be suffering from narcissism. He starts to lash out in the dream world. His appearance in the students somnambulistic visions become nightmarish. Paul as night time invader is a small man. One who craves fame and recognition. When this actually happens his life becomes unbearable. The film earns a solid 3.5 stars. Black comedy aside, the movie is weird and unusual.
It is available to stream on Max.
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