Dandelion (2004)

Director:

Mark Milgard

Writers:

Mark Milgard (written by) &
Robb Williamson (written by) ...

Release Date:

27 January 2006 (Turkey)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Everything begins somewhere.

Plot:

In a small town of rolling fields and endless skies, isolated 16 year old Mason lives in a world where...

Plot Keywords:

Small Town | Field | Accident | Loneliness | Suicidal

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Vincent Kartheiser	...	Mason Mullich
Taryn Manning	...	Danny Voss
Arliss Howard	...	Luke Mullich
Mare Winningham	...	Layla Mullich
Blake Heron	...	Eddie
Michelle Forbes	...	Mrs. Voss
Marshall Bell	...	Uncle Bobby
Shawn Reaves	...	Arlee
Robert Blanche	...	Sheriff Teft
Don Alder	...	Daryl
Wally Dalton	...	Train Guy
Edward Thomas Jr.	...	Will Chavers
Don Stroud	...	Print Shop Clerk (as Donnie Stroud)
Steven Weyte	...	Judge Cobb

Also Known As:

Into the Sun (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for drug and alcohol use, violent images, sexuality and language - all involving teens.

Runtime:

USA:93 min (Sundance Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Moscow, Idaho, USA

Company:

Ballistic Media Group

Trivia:

Although they where playing teenager characters, by the time of shooting Vincent Kartheiser (Mason Mullich) and Taryn Manning (Danny Voss) were 24 and 25, respectively.

Quotes:

Mason Mullich: Sometimes you lose things. Then you get them back

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

So Little to Give

I'm Still floored. Yeah, Still.

I was at a film festival securing my seat for the movie that followed Dandelion, and so in turn had to watch it. When I read the write-up for it in the program all I could think was, "Jeez, I have to sit through this really bad and boring movie to watch the movie I want to see" *sigh*.

Boy was I wrong. The opening scene alone had me hooked. For all of those who have yet to see this, the movie opens with a very teary Vincent Kartheiser placing a .357 in his mouth and pulling the trigger. I was so amazed that I sat completely still waiting to see what would happen next.

I'm not typically a drama-movie guy. I like action, explosions, nudity, horror and just plain disgusting things in movies. This movie has very little if any of the afore mentioned things. What this movie does have though is amazing sense of compassion and real life circumstances that draw the viewer (this viewer at least) into this hypnotic trance where you just can't take your eyes off of the screen.

It makes me think of other movies that I was blown away by, American History X, The War Zone (Tim Roth's) and Niagara Niagara. Dandelion included, I am amazed by how films can touch a part of you and make you realize certain things about yourself that relate so well to the characters in the film.

Let me also say that every character in this film is played fully and believably by the actors portraying them. The scenery from upper Washington and Idaho where it was shot adds so much to the film itself that I find it impossible to imagine this film being as believable and prolific if it were set anywhere else.

We had a Q&A session after the film with producer, Molly and actor, Vincent.

Two of the coolest people whom I have heard from in quite a while. They were both very candid and very happy about how well the film was received. As they both should be.

If you have any time or any ability to see this film either at a festival or in a theater or at home on DVD, please do yourself a favor and watch it. This is coming from a guy who have never seen it except by accident who is now a devoted fan.