Dream Scenario

From Princess Belle to Freddy Krueger, or the zebra beta male led out of the herd without his own doing and subsequently driven back by predatory beasts. The allegorical parade of glory adorned with its intoxicating value, the price paid, and rapidly approaching transience arrives with an interesting editing style that plays with the viewer's orientation in time and space, Allen-esque autumnal conversations, and a few scenes that supposedly make some people want to gouge out their eyes (Professor Matthews does not care about infidelity). The idea of the final showdown is evident, but the question is whether it was justified. Cage has been fitting well in roles with elements of self-reflection lately. (02/14/2024)

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? (12/27/2023)

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. (02/12/2024)

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. (01/25/2024)

“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. (12/23/2023)