Sundance 2015 starts today, as you may have noticed from the flurry of clips and posters that have gone up this week in anticipation of the fest. We’re en route to Park City, but we do have a look at a movie that got a shout out on our Sundance Most Anticipated list, "I’ll See You In My Dreams." Director Brett Haley got some great notices for his previous feature "The New Year," which Variety called "a glowing coming out party for its debutant writer director," and "a film destined for later rediscovery by cineastes curious to see the first flowering of two serious talents." He’s now hitting Sundance with more star power in his second feature, in the form of Blythe Danner, Sam Elliott, and Martin Starr, along with Malin Akerman, June Squibb, and Rhea Pearlman.
"I’ll See You In My Dreams" follows the journey of a widow with a quiet life, who is shaken out of her rut by the death of her dog, inspiring her to strike up some new friendships. The clip and stills we’ve got today feature Danner as Carol and Starr as Lloyd, her pool boy, and the moment that their unlikely friendship blossoms (over a few drinks, as a lot of friendships do). Starr looks to be doing work outside of his usual comic-relief characters in a softer mode, with Danner as Carol finding her footing and learning to be open to new experiences, like karaoke.
The Sundance long synopsis is below. Check out the clip, stills, and poster as well. "I’ll See You In My Dreams" premieres in Park City next Tuesday at 6:30 pm at the Eccles Theater.
Carol is a retired schoolteacher and a longtime widow in her 70s. She enjoys a tranquil routine playing cards with close friends, keeping up her garden, and relaxing with a glass of wine. When her beloved dog dies, there’s a mournful vacuum that draws new experiences and attachments into her world. She forges a friendship with her pool guy and allows a pal to drag her to a speed dating shindig. And then there’s the gravelly-voiced, exuberant gentleman, Bill, who comes out of nowhere.
Browse through all our coverage of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival by clicking here.