The Dream Children: Written Review

The Dream Children

Written Review

Hi everyone and welcome to MyIndie Review Vlog, the show that gives you spoiler-free reviews of indie films! My name is Asaf Angel from MyIndie Productions, and today I’d like to talk to you about 2015’s The Dream Children.

This review marks the first time I get to review a drama on the show, as thus far all four previous episodes involved horror. Hopefully, this will be the first of many.

Based on the original stage play by Julia Britton, The Dream Children was directed by Australian indie filmmaker, Robert Chuter and written by Angus Brown. Thank you, Robert for sending us a link of the film and the additional material.

The story follows a young gay couple in their late twenties-early thirties, Steven and Alex. The two are financially stable young urban professionals.

Portrayed by Graeme Squires, Steven, a somewhat famous game show host, seems blinded by his materialistic success. Exhibiting a sturdy facade and relishing his fame and fortune, Steven behaves in a way which strengthens the feeling that he’s somewhat lost and unfulfilled. More on that, a bit later.

Played by Nicholas Gunn, Alex, Steven’s life partner, craves fatherhood and family, and goes after it with extreme conviction. He, almost forcefully, pulls a reluctant Steven along with him as the two try to apply for adoption.

The story occurs in a time where same-sex relationships in Australia were frowned upon and adoption by same-sex couples, illegal. The situation has recently improved. Same-sex marriage in Australia has been legalized on December 2017 and same-sex adoption on April 2018, according to Wikipedia.

The scrutiny and bureaucracy of the adoption process is difficult for any couple, let alone a gay one. Alex and Steven quickly find out that they can’t go through conventional channels and decide to attempt adoption via less conventional methods.

What I respect most about the film, is its brute honesty. From as early as the first shot, Chuter introduces the viewer to an unfiltered reality, and as the story progresses, we find that the same principle was applied to the depiction of the characters.

Steven is introduced as a selfish, self-centered individual, immaturely buying into his own hype. He purposely conceals his homosexuality as he cherishes his celebrity status, which may be damaged if his fan-base realize his sexual orientation, which may in turn, end his career. On the other hand, it doesn’t stop him from indulging in meaningless sexual encounters to inflate his ego.

Chuter steers away from portraying his heroes as infallible. The characters’ true nature is exposed in all its flaws, and for very good reason; although the film advocates same-sex equality, the core of the story is found in the drama between Steven and Alex and Steven’s inner struggle. At the end of the day, gay or straight we’re all just people. We share the same needs and fears. The drama between the characters would have been just as relevant involving a straight couple.

To sum up, Chuter beautifully executes a sincere depiction of an important story. The film is engaging and beautifully shot and the performances are largely of a very high level.

Highly recommended!

The Dream Children Gets a 7.5/10 on the Look At Me, I’m A Film Critic scale!
The film has been officially selected to numerous international festivals.

Until next time, keep supporting Indie Film. My name is Asaf Angel and thank you for tuning in to MyIndie Review Vlog.