I’ll See You in My Dreams
Starring Blythe Danner, Sam Elliott
Directed by Brett Haley
It may have taken 72 years for Blythe Danner to land a lead role but she steals the show in the sensitive and thoughtful I’ll See You in My Dreams. Widow Carol Petersen (Danner) finds herself searching for new meaning and yearning for a change after her faithful pooch passes away. Carol spends most of her days socializing with her friends (the consistently excellent Rhea Perlman, June Squibb and Mary Kay Place) in a nearby retirement home and befriending a thirtysomething pool boy (a surprisingly effective Martin Starr). Since losing her husband several decades ago, she hasn’t thought twice about romantic involvement again but that may change once Sam Elliot arrives with his patented brand of gruff talking and cigar chomping.
For all intents and purposes, I’ll See You in My Dreams is about love, loss, the generation gap and how it’s never too late to reinvent oneself. The film’s message avoids too much sentimental claptrap thanks to a focused script from Marc Basch and Brett Haley. The cast of characters is strong but it’s Danner who transcends her role, essentially becoming wholly genuine as she manages a deeply personal and profoundly nuanced achievement. I’ll See You in My Dreams is slightly reminiscent of last year’s Enough Said as it offers a mature look at aging and relationships.
The film’s slow-moving narrative lacks the typical dramatic arc, but its subtle performances, refreshing writing, confident direction and Danner’s singularly brilliant acting help elevate the film into something truly special.
