I'll See You In My Dreams

Earlier in the year there was Oscar buzz surrounding Blythe Danner's warm, understated performance as a woman who finds friendship and romance in the final chapter of her life in Brett Haley's "I'll See You in My Dreams."

Danner plays Carol, a retired teacher who was widowed two decades earlier and who loses her 14-year-old dog as the film opens. Most of her time is spent either alone or playing cards with her golden girls gaggle of friends (Rhea Pearlman, June Squibb, Mary Kay Place). Suddenly, she has two men in her life. A debonair gent named Bill (Sam Elliott, who hasn't aged in 30 years) is interested in developing a relationship with her. And her pool boy poet, Lloyd (Martin Starr) provides her with some welcome discussions about life and purpose.

At the heart of the film is the well-developed bond between Carol and Lloyd. In a key scene in a karaoke bar, Carol sings, "Cry Me a River." She doesn't knock it out of the park but she is just good enough to make us (and Lloyd, and herself) wonder why she gave up singing all those years ago.

Danner, a celebrated stage actress, shows just how nuanced she can be onscreen. It's a smart, graceful, lovely performance that anchors the otherwise anemic narrative where characters are either superfluous (Carol's daughter played by Malin Akerman) or criminally underdeveloped (her fabulous trio of friends). Danner's deliberately unostentatious turn is a treat and gives the film gravitas.

The "I'll See You in My Dreams" Blu-ray boasts a rich and robust visual transfer, especially for an indie. The sound is sharp. There is one paltry extra, "A Look Inside I'll See You in My Dreams," a 3-minute, 28-second glorified trailer.

"I'll See You in My Dreams"
Blu-ray & DVD & Digital HD
$24.99
http://www.amazon.com/Ill-See-Dreams-Blu-ray-DIGITAL/dp/B00XQ2EQH2