Nicole Riegel’s “Dandelion” is a short movie, the length of which does not matter. It dives into the character’s psyche so deeply that it feels like being inside someone else’s head. Layne plays Dandelion, an unfulfilled girl from Cincinnati who wants to be a musician but just performs on some regular days at a hotel bar with inattentive customers and chatty audience.
But her songs have lost their meaning to girls’ nights out and always watching phone screens. when she goes back home to help her sick mother. all she gets are rude conversations, fights and words that would shame anyone thinking of being “a 40-year-old troubadour.”
Dandelion then decides to take off after receiving a flyer about a music festival/biker rally in South Dakota from the bartender of the motel. She meets up with Scottish artist Casey who becomes her boyfriend later in the film.
Presently working as a salesperson (the dreadfully well-known title for any creative person), he has given up his ambitions as he believes that his best music days are behind him. As Dandelion grows closer to them, she starts falling for Casey slowly thus the attraction fades away as they become more passionate towards each other through their love for music too. This leads us into picturesque hikes through mountains, soulful duets and finally experiencing life through her own art.
The most important part of Riegel’s work is its non-verbal elements. The dialogue between Casey and Dandelion happens within their music both individually and together as well. At one point during one of those campfire moments where couples always end up arguing while writing music together here we find this duo.
Heightening exponentially with each note sang by Dandelion until it starts traveling emotionally from equivalent shouting volume while playing guitar right beside her friend’s ears till it reaches another emotional level again which forms a song. Similarly, the loving moments are caught in admiring shots and extreme close-ups of two people performing: guitars being strummed by fingers, throats that feel strained during high notes and eyes gently fluttering over with pleasure as they get lost in an emotional song.
During their respective paths as musicians, both Casey and Dandelion envy each other at some point. For Casey, this is Dandelion’s current status which is like a blank slate full of endless possibility. However for Dandelion though it’s just music industry socialization or recognition after so much searching.
Layne remains as vulnerable and moving as always while Doherty perfectly depicts the passion of an artist mixed with trouble that makes Casey magnetic. Although “Dandelion” is great for characterizing the individuals within it thereby making plot secondary to consequences, its protagonist often gets overshadowed. At times she appears sidelined in her own story.
But somewhere through those conversations with Casey or how quickly final scenes were presented; there seem to be several intervals used for the sake of distracting us from getting closer into knowing Dandelion beyond her two opening sequences in this movie. Yet even when badly concluded all of Riegel’s warmth permeates throughout the film and ultimately brings out a picture where fleeting love can make you grow-the one that prompts great songs to be written.
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