Dreamland (2019 American film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Miles Joris-Peyrafitte (director), Nicolaas Zwart (screenplay) |
Key people | Margot Robbie (producer and cast), Tom Ackerley (producer), Josey McNamara (producer), Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (producer), Rian Cahill (producer), Brad Feinstein (producer) |
| Products | Film |
| Parent | LuckyChap Entertainment, Automatik Entertainment, Romulus Entertainment, Titan World Entertainment |
Dreamland is a 2019 American period thriller directed by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte with a screenplay by Nicolaas Zwart. The cast includes Finn Cole, Margot Robbie, Travis Fimmel, Garrett Hedlund, Kerry Condon, Darby Camp, and Lola Kirke.
The movie was produced through a collaboration between LuckyChap Entertainment, Automatik Entertainment, Romulus Entertainment, and Titan World Entertainment. It debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 28, 2019. Later, it received a limited theatrical release on November 13, 2020, distributed by Vertical Entertainment, followed by a video on demand launch on November 17, 2020, via Paramount Home Entertainment. The film earned a total box office of $320,814.
Plot
During the 1930s drought in Texas, Eugene Evans resides with his family after his father’s departure. His mother has remarried George Evans, a law enforcement officer who serves as stepfather to Eugene and his sister Phoebe.
At a community gathering, a wanted poster is displayed offering $10,000 for the capture of bank robber and murderer Allison Wells. Eugene and his friend Joe devise a plan to locate her, but George advises Eugene to seek employment instead. Eugene eventually finds Allison concealed in the barn and agrees to aid her escape to Mexico in return for payment.
Allison confides that she was wounded while fleeing a bank heist during which an innocent girl died. Eugene earns her confidence and supports her despite doubts about her partner Perry, who died during the crime. After discovering proof of Allison’s dishonesty, Eugene confronts her.
George dismisses Eugene after suspecting him of interfering with police evidence. Facing eviction, Eugene and Allison escape using the family truck. Their relationship grows complicated, culminating in a bank robbery where Eugene kills a hostage in self-defense.
Plagued by remorse, Eugene briefly leaves Allison but they reconcile as George’s posse hunts them down. In the final showdown, George injures Allison before Eugene flees with Phoebe hidden in the truck. Phoebe narrates that Eugene was never seen again but became a family legend.
Cast
- Finn Cole as Eugene Evans
- Margot Robbie as Allison Wells
- Travis Fimmel as George Evans
- Garrett Hedlund as Perry Montroy (special participation)
- Kerry Condon as Olivia Evans
- Darby Camp as Phoebe Evans
- Lola Kirke as older Phoebe Evans, also The Narrator
- Stephen Dinh as Joe Garza
Production
In May 2017, Margot Robbie joined both the cast and production team alongside Tom Ackerley, Josey McNamara, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, and Rian Cahill under their LuckyChap Entertainment and Automatik banners. Direction was led by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte from Nicolaas Zwart’s script. Romulus Entertainment provided production and financing support with Brad Feinstein producing. By October 2017, additional casting included Finn Cole, Travis Fimmel, Darby Camp, and Kerry Condon.
Principal photography commenced in October 2017 in New Mexico.
Release
The film had its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 28, 2019. In September 2020, distribution rights for the U.S. market were secured by Vertical Entertainment, while home media and television rights were acquired by Paramount Home Entertainment. The movie was released in select theaters on November 13, 2020, followed shortly after by availability on video on demand beginning November 17, 2020.
Reception
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has an approval rating based on a certain number of reviews, with an average score reflecting mixed opinions. The critical consensus highlights that while Dreamland's storyline may feel scattered, Margot Robbie delivers a compelling lead performance. On Metacritic, the film has earned a score of 57 out of 100 from 12 reviewers, signifying "mixed or average" feedback.