I'll See You in My Dreams - B

Blythe Danner

Rated PG-13, 92 minutes
Wes's Grade: B

Lovely Danner is a great lead in the enjoyable dramedy "I'll See You in My Dreams"

"I'll See You in My Dreams" is a charming, well-acted coming-of-age dramedy that says that you're never too old to start something new. You'll also wonder why lovely, award-winning character actress Blythe Danner hasn't had more starring roles: this is her first one. After the death of her beloved dog, widow and former songstress Carol (Danner) finds the everyday activities have lost their luster. With the support of her loyal girlfriends and bridge buddies (June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, and Mary Kay Place), Carol decides to embrace life differently, embarking on an unlikely friendship with her pool boy (Martin Starr), pursuing a new love interest (Sam Elliott), and reconnecting with her daughter (Malin Akerman). Directed and written by Brett Haley in his feature film debut, it's an auspicious debut for a newbie, but it helps having a strong cast and a moving script, and the dramedy comes up a winner. Tony and Emmy-award winning actress proves that she's more than a stalwart supporting actress or Gwyneth Paltrow's mother (she certainly has her work cut out for her there, just saying), she ably grounds the film well, providing some memorable moments. Among them: the battling a mouse, and doing karaoke with "Knocked Up" actor Starr, whose deadpan delivery is well-paired with Danner's smooth touches to her role (they balance each other nicely), and of course some of the film's funniest scenes, with her age-appropriate pals in Squibb, Perlman and Place. "I'll See You in My Dreams" becomes more predictable in the third act when deep-voiced cowboy Elliot comes on the scene, and you have a sense of how it'll turn out from their first moments together. The enjoyable, warm "I'll See You in My Dreams" is ultimately nothing new, except for the fact that Danner, who we've loved for years, proves she is a very capable and likable lead actress, and here's hoping she gets more starring roles, she's deserving of them. Worth a look.