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Dandelion

Play trailer 2:01 Poster for Dandelion R Released Jul 12 1h 53m Drama Romance Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Dandelion (KiKi Layne), a struggling but determined singer-songwriter in a downward spiral, reluctantly takes a last-ditch effort gig where she meets Casey (Thomas Doherty), a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago. As Dandelion joins Casey's eclectic and nomadic group of struggling musicians, the two kindred spirits make music together and strike up an intoxicating whirlwind romance that leads Dandelion to a deeper appreciation of her artistic journey and the discovery of a voice that is authentically her own.
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Dandelion

Dandelion

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Critics Consensus

Powered by the lovely duet of KiKi Layne and Thomas Doherty's performances, Dandelion is a slight but sweet musical drama.

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Critics Reviews

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Peyton Robinson RogerEbert.com Even with a shaky conclusion, the swarming warmth of Riegel’s direction and the meditation of her writing results in a film that displays the fleeting, volatile kind of love that forces you to grow Rated: 3/4 Jul 14, 2024 Full Review Carlos Aguilar Variety Riegel’s actors ignite a convincing spark when sharing the screen. One sees the blistering force of their connection. Jul 12, 2024 Full Review Ty Burr Washington Post A sweet, slight, impressionistic character study of a struggling musician with a luminous KiKi Layne at its center. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 12, 2024 Full Review Rubén Rosario MiamiArtZine It feels like an indie film from the 1990s in its disarming simplicity...its retro appeal goes a long way, but it's Layne, capably carrying the film on her shoulders, who seals the deal. Sep 16, 2024 Full Review Derek Sante KSNV (Las Vegas) An authentic story and song. Rated: B Aug 23, 2024 Full Review Sarah Marrs Lainey Gossip Dandelion is a somewhat lightweight but enjoyable film that lets KiKi Layne shine for two hours, and there are certainly worse ways to spend your time than watching KiKi Layne. Aug 17, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Marisa This is a perfect example of why Indie films are my favorite kind of movie. Well done! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/16/24 Full Review Joseph The music was ok but not memorable. This had the potential to be a very good movie. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/13/24 Full Review heidi n As a singer songwriter whose daughter is a singer songwriter married to an Irish singer songwriter, this movie really hit home. The two leads are spectacular, worth watching just for their performances. Beautiful cinematography and a compelling narrative. Only criticism is the song writing scenes for Dandelion seem to be written by a non songwriter. Lots of angst and paper crumpling. The best expression of songwriting I ever heard was from Sheryl Crow who said songs just come to you and then you say "thanks for the song" to the heavens. Yep. But this aside, really loved this movie - partly because it is such a different tale. Two deeply feeling people searching, but bound by their circumstances. Just life life. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/03/24 Full Review Alysse L Dandelion is a breathtakingly beautiful film that will leave you mesmerized and contemplative. The cinematography is stunning, with each frame meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of wonder and awe. The film's use of natural light and vibrant colors transports you to a world that is both familiar and yet, utterly unique. The music is equally impressive, perfectly complementing the on-screen action with a haunting and evocative score. The soundtrack is a character in its own right, adding depth and emotion to the narrative. At its core, "Dandelion" is a character study, delving deep into the psyche of its protagonist with sensitivity and nuance. The performances are outstanding, with the lead actor delivering a nuanced and captivating portrayal of a complex and multifaceted individual. The film's pacing is deliberate and measured, allowing the audience to absorb the beauty and emotion of each scene. The narrative is layered and open to interpretation, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences and emotions. Overall, "Dandelion" is a masterpiece of cinematic storytelling, a film that will linger in your mind and heart long after the credits roll. It is a testament to the power of cinema to inspire, to heal, and to transform. Shout out to Grace Kaiser - a great actress and singer. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/25/24 Full Review William M Most excellent! The story, casting, editing, cinematography, and that fabulous music! - every single element was pitch perfect. Bravissimo, Nicole Riegel! A masterful achievement. Highly recommended! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/26/24 Full Review Caitilin R Dandelion invites the audience to intimately experience what it means to struggle with living authentically. From the first frame we’re brought into Dandelion’s world as an audience member and a friend. We are told the story of Dandelion’s uneven relationship with her work and her mother. She is giving more than she is getting on all fronts. She needs a change of scenery to regain her clarity and confidence as an artist. She does just that by the end of the film. Dandelion gives us the experience of being in a real world, documentary style setting while telling a powerful narrative. The camera work allows us to be a part of the story as an intimate friend and not just a spectator. We’re never really looking through the character’s POV and we’re almost always looking up to our characters, not down on them. This is not the god’s eye view. This feels real. The locations matter. We are exploring these landscapes with Dandelion. This is a story that people have told before but Riegel is telling us in a new way. The specifics matter. The person, the dream, the landscapes, the other people. This story is very, very specific. The music is raw and emotional. There is heartbreak on both sides. The music was telling us all along that these two characters will not last. They can only exist together in this liminal space. They are both looking for answers and projecting onto each other. Riegel hints at this from their very first conversation. The cut between the two crying for their loss of each other is gut wrenching. Both Kiki Layne and Thomas Doherty deliver compelling performances through out. This story isn’t about a short love affair, it’s about Dandelion becoming herself. Her rejection of Casey is good and necessary. The ending is just right. Dandelion is living the life she wants, in the location she wants, with the loved ones she chose. I will watch this movie again and again. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/24/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Dandelion (KiKi Layne), a struggling but determined singer-songwriter in a downward spiral, reluctantly takes a last-ditch effort gig where she meets Casey (Thomas Doherty), a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago. As Dandelion joins Casey's eclectic and nomadic group of struggling musicians, the two kindred spirits make music together and strike up an intoxicating whirlwind romance that leads Dandelion to a deeper appreciation of her artistic journey and the discovery of a voice that is authentically her own.
Director
Nicole Riegel
Producer
Rian Cahill, Adam Cobb, Pete McClellan, Nicole Riegel, Peter McClellan
Screenwriter
Nicole Riegel
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
IFC Films, Automatik Entertainment, Griffin Drive Productions, BondIt Media Capital, Room 252
Rating
R (Language|Sexuality/Nudity)
Genre
Drama, Romance, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 12, 2024, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$88.1K
Runtime
1h 53m
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