Dandelion Exceeds Expectations @SXSW 2024

With the success of A Star Is Born, you would have to bet the vision of director Nicole Reigel would not duplicate that narrative. Dandelion which is Reigel’s new installment that premiered at SXSW has the elements of being A Star Is Born but enough to change to a whole new storyline. The film is based on an independent Cincinnati artist who sings in hotels and tries to find her voice.

Played by the ever-so-talented Kiki Layne, Dandelion is just trying to level up and wants her voice to be heard. But her dreams are being stalled by not only what is going on in her mind but her mother Jean whom she must take care of. Played by Melanie Nicholls-King, Jean just wants what is best for her daughter and to have a backup plan. Just in case her dreams get shattered and when reality sets in.

South Dakota

After bumping heads with her mother, Dandelion drives away to a motorcycle rally folk festival in South Dakota to find her dreams. After someone jacks her guitar she then meets Casey a musician who is at the festival with his former bandmates, played by the band called Brother Elsey, who shows up with it. He then asks Dandelion to join them in a jam that night knowing that her car won’t even start. We don’t know much about Casey but there is still beef between one of his band members. This is the chapter in the film where we see that Casey and Dandelion form a musical friendship which turns more than what Dandelion has bargained for.

The more that Casey and Dandelion riff from one another, the better the harmony and their songs develop. This is where the cinematography focuses on the chemistry of the two leaning into the alleyways of the streets to the open terrain landscape of South Dakota. The oppeness obviously symbolizing the birth and innocence of their relationship. To the narrow alleyways symbolizing their closeness. Their love totally blossoms and their lyrics to their songs are profound as they perform under the red lights in some of the most dive bars in South Dakota. To the deserted terrains of South Dakota under a well lit fire.

Dandelion is a film where the music and cinematography blends together so well that director Nicole Reigel’s vision reaches levels where the audience is actually floored. Kiki Layne is a true performer not only as an actor but a singer. FERNTV cannot wait to see what is in store for her next.

What is interesting about this film is that it shows that love can come from any angle at any time. Especially at time where you least expect it. As for Dandelion’s experience, love happens when she is trying make a last ditch effort to boost her career. It was all hands on deck for everyone in the film. When it does go into different direction in where the audience is surprised at the outcome.

The music is the driving force in this film. Especially, when it comes from the soul of Kiki Layne it is engaging. Her body language are also the lyrics to the audience who is absorbing her growth throughout the film. Dandelion is a film which is not about only the music but it all about expectations. Whether it is about the expectations of others, our own family or ourselves, it always humbles us in the end. What Dandelion teaches us in that dreams and expectations sometimes does not mix. Sometimes are dreams are too big that we need to lower our expectations. But sometimes we need to dream to have higher expectations. And that is what Dandelion does.