Movie Review: ‘Dandelion’

Stars KiKi Layne and Thomas Doherty sizzle in this story of a singer/songwriter who struggles with her creative identity and being seen in the world.

KiKi Layne in Nicole Riegel’s 'Dandelion'. Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films Release.

Opening in theaters on July 12th, ‘Dandelion’ is the latest drama from ‘Holler’ writer/director Nicole Riegel, and she proves she has not lost her touch for sensitively-told stories of young women looking to find themselves in worlds where that isn’t always easy.

With charming and intense performances from leads KiKi Layne and Thomas Doherty, it’s a low-key musical drama that celebrates the creative urge and charts the ups and downs of a burgeoning romance.

Does ‘Dandelion’ bloom?

(L to R) Thomas Doherty and KiKi Layne in Nicole Riegel’s 'Dandelion'. Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films Release.

With her first film, 2020’s ‘Holler’ Nicole Riegel announced herself as a talent to watch. And with ‘Dandelion’, she adds even more personal material into the story of a creative person who faces the seemingly endlessly frustration of someone being ignored and shut out because of their gender (and, expanding it further through the welcome casting of KiKi Layne, race).

Riegel has been open about the fact that she has struggled to get movies made in the past while watching colleagues see doors swing open for them. So there’s an instinctive, clear-voiced spine in place here, on which the cast layers some effective, unshowy performances.

If the movie is sometimes a little languid and deliberately paced (it doesn’t always make full use of its 113 minutes), that’s never at the expense of deeply-felt storytelling and some well-crafted musical performances.

Script and Direction

'Dandelion' director Nicole Riegel. Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films Release.

Riegel knows how to tap into frustration and passion and delivers on both in her screenplay. There are one or two false notes –– Dandelion’s early argument with her mother Jean (Melanie Nicholls-King) feels like a writer setting up the essential conflict of the movie in fairly generic fashion, while one or two encounters at the music festival don’t ring as true as they might. Yet for the most part, and particularly as the romance and collaboration heats up, it feels authentic and chronicles the creative process with nuance.

And visually, the filmmaker infuses her work with urgent energy when required and hazy romance elsewhere. Making smart use of beautiful natural backgrounds on both Dandelion’s journey to the festival and her time with Casey (Thomas Doherty), Riegel also chooses to be close up on her characters, bringing you into their world. And the world of the South Dakota music festival and other venues are brought to vibrant, realistic life.

The movie also benefits from some heartfelt songs, a collaboration between Riegel, Layne and The National’s Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner, who contributed superb songs to ‘Cyrano’ do much the same here, though in much more raw form since the storyline requires that.

Performances

‘Dandelion’s cast is a relatively small one, but Riegel has found some real winners.

KiKi Layne as Dandelion

KiKi Layne in Nicole Riegel’s 'Dandelion'. Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films Release.

This is most definitely Layne’s film –– she’s in every scene and she dominates the storyline in a way befitting a title character. Hers is a powerful, soulful performance, channeling her own feelings of insecurity in acting and racism she’s faced to round out Riegel’s creation in a way is completely compelling.

Yet when sharing the screen with others, Layne is also a generous scene partners, her chemistry with Doherty in particular palpable. And her interactions with her mother, that initial clash aside, are also warm and believable.

Thomas Doherty as Casey

Thomas Doherty in Nicole Riegel’s 'Dandelion'. Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films Release.

Often in movies such as this, British actors are asked to channel some American accent and even the best can sometimes find that it builds a restrictive barrier to their performance, as if acting through it makes the work tougher.

Fortunately for Doherty, he’s here able to hold onto his native Scottish burr and it makes a world of difference for his believability and ease (though he’s claimed in interviews that he actually prefers other accents when he’s acting). Still, he brings a world-weary sensitivity to Casey, a musician whose own career has been a frustratingly unsuccessful one, and he’s retreated from that world to a degree. His rediscovering his passion through Dandelion’s works well on screen.

Melanie Nicholls-King as Jean

As we’ve talked about before, the early argument between Dandelion and her mother in ways feels like false fireworks, but that isn’t really the fault of the actors, as they try their best with the material. Nicholls-King is excellent as Jean, laid low with health concerns but stubbornly unwilling to grasp the truth of her situation, or to truly acknowledge her daughter’s talent.

What could be a basic grumpy parent role is given depth and empathy in Nicolls-King’s performance.

Around the central pair, Riegel assembles a small but effective ensemble, and they add real color and spirit to the movie.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Thomas Doherty and KiKi Layne in Nicole Riegel’s 'Dandelion'. Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films Release.

‘Dandelion’ is one of those festival films that deserves wider attention but may not end up getting as much as it deserves. It might, at least, drum up a faithful audience, even if that audience doesn’t turn out to see it initially.

Is this a movie that works just as well on the small screen as the big? Yes, but that’s not a reason to seek it out opening weekend and support something that offers a little variety to the usual summer season fare.

‘Dandelion’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

Dandelion

"A journey of a thousand notes."

R1 hr 53 minJul 12th, 2024

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch Dandelion Online

What’s the story of ‘Dandelion’?

A struggling singer-songwriter (KiKi Layne) falls into an intoxicating romance that leads her to a deeper appreciation of her artistic journey and the discovery of a voice that is authentically her own.