Dream Scenario

Well, I must be dreaming! I once got scolded for something I did or said in a dream... Interesting premise, skillful execution, albeit with a slightly underwhelming ending, and most importantly, Nicolas Cage's big comeback. Kristoffer Borgli does a great job with modern trends and the fickleness of human favour. I was expecting some sort of climax towards the end, a lingering denouement rather than a reconciliatory epilogue. A possible prequel to Nolan's Inception? (27/12/2023)

“The best film of the year with a perfect and original idea and great acting by Nicolas Cage. The dictionary definition of an A24 film, a well-directed piece with impeccable comedic timing, but one that can also strike a darker chord," that’s what I would have written if they hadn't strangely switched gears in the final fifteen minutes – after the school play scene – and the film hadn't fizzled out. It's a shame and I can't quite explain it, the ending really feels like Borgli ran out of time and didn't manage to write and film the climax the rest of the film deserved. Still, I'll burn a five star rating, I've been rather stingy with them this year and Dream Scenario towers high above the usual surrounding stuff despite the stumble. PS: Kristoffer Borgli is the discovery of the year for me – I recommend his previous film Sick of Myself, which is also about a man who craves attention, and in a bizarre way gets it. (23/12/2023)

Dream Scenario benefits mainly from the novel premise and the performance of Nicolas Cage, whose character, Paul, becomes the target of both unprecedented admiration and cruel hatred, with both completely contradictory emotional levels based not on the real world, but on the dream world – which makes the ending of the film all the more absurd. Kristoffer Borgli plays with the theme of cancel culture in an unconventional way, and by incorporating dream sequences, his satire takes on fantasy, even horror, dimensions. There are a few humorous sequences, but the feelings with the film as a whole are rather chilling. A truly unconventional piece that, despite the somewhat questionable ending, makes you think. (25/01/2024)

A remarkable yet rather simple satire about fame and its transmutations, renown on social networks, internet celebrity, over-sensitivity in today’s world and cancel culture. Nicolas Cage excels in the role of the ordinary bored professor who suddenly starts to appear in millions of people’s dreams. It’s as if he is a living meme who is capable of being funny, scary, sorrowful and embarrassing. It’s also worth mentioning the entertaining dream sequences and surrealistic atmosphere, though the whole high-concept metaphor is only partly effective, as it doesn’t go very deep and is exceedingly literal. (14/10/2023)

A great idea, an excellent Nicolas Cage, Woody Allen-like marital dialogue... And such an unnecessarily VERY rushed ending, I felt sorry for it. It's as if someone suddenly noticed that the budget had been slashed and there were only a few dollars left. Too bad, too bad, it felt completely like a sudden awakening from a dream you didn't care for. (12/02/2024)