‘Dream Scenario’ is a black comedy with fantasy elements where we follow Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage). An ordinary college professor, Paul’s life is turned upside down as he gains fame and recognition by unintentionally appearing on other peoples dreams. Overwhelmed yet intrigued by his turn of fortune, Paul tries to reconcile all that comes with his newfound stardom.
Easing the viewer into the concept, the film opens amid Paul’s daughter Hannah’s (Jessica Clement) dream, her seeing Paul largely as a bystander. Rousing his curiosity, Paul eventually dismisses the event. Later on, after seeing a play with his wife Janet (Julianne Nicholson), Paul is greeted by an ex-girlfriend who flags him down as she too has been seeing him in her dreams. Arranging to meet, the ex-girlfriend ask Paul for his consent to write about the experience in her blog. The piece goes viral as numerous people turn out to also have seen the man in their dreams.
Enjoying the limelight, Paul satisfies his curiosity by opening a public discussion about other peoples dreams during one of his lectures. Dismayed to learn that by and large he operates as a benign presence, he becomes disappointed of his impotent occupancy of other’s dreams.
Contacted by a PR firm, Paul attempts to use this as a stepping stone towards advancing personal goals. Having wanted to write and publish his own book, the discussion focuses largely around Paul’s potential to sell something to the people whose dreams he appears in.
Following a particularly embarrassing sexual experience, perception of Paul changes. The dreams people start experiencing become violent and inappropriate in nature, forcing him to become an outcast, lose his job and family.
Focusing largely on the fickle nature of fame and stardom, the humorous and eventually brutal essence of the story is explored through Nic Cage’s Paul. Having endures little to no recognition for the work he does, Paul is in awe of his newfound fame. Portraying the likes of a nobody that stumbles across a pot of gold, Cage presents a nervous and excitable loser who for the first time in his life is experiencing popularity.
Almost crazed by the opportunities this can present Paul, the man is vexed the further he tries to explore the nature of his stardom. Ultimately bringing him little joy, Cage further displays a man lost an destroyed as the world starts to collapse in on him. As the dreams shift to a threatening tone, Paul is exiles from the comfort of his former life and is reduced to pandering to fans he has abroad.
Interestingly, we also see Nicholson’s Janet also try to take advantage of her husband’s fame. Even though quiet about the phenomenon, she pushes herself forward at work by using Paul’s fame. The success is short lived however, as when Paul’s world comes crashing down, so does hers. Exploring fame to a further degree, the film highlights that even new-found and short-lived peaks of popularity may be shamelessly harnessed by those around the icon.
Delivering a strong understanding of the extent that cancel culture has destroyed many, writer and director Kristoffer Borgli presents us with a humorous yet poignant tale of woe, as Paul reaches unimaginable heights but is ultimately brought back down as the public turns on him. A comedic and effective fairy-tale, the fantastical elements of the film make for a more approachable port into better understanding the capricious character of fame.
Showing us through the lens of Paul how quickly one’s life can change, even without that person’s active input, ‘Dream Scenario’ delivers a stimulating examination of the toxic climate that can result in a person’s absolute decimation as public opinion of them shifts. Uncomfortable and funny, the story and its message are heightened by an absolutely singular Nic Cage performance that manages to encapsulate what a realistic representation of sudden fame can do to a person.
Score: 4/4
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