Daydream Believer

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100%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 5

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Release date: Sep 25, 2002

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Movie Info

Can an eager, enthusiastic young woman from a small town make good as an actress in the Big City? Valerie Woodbury (played by Sybil Kempson) is about to find out the hard way in this independent comedy. Valerie has scored the leading role in a new play being produced by a community theater group in her hometown in Vermont, which she imagines is the big break she's been waiting for, though her friends and family are hardly as impressed. As self-centered director and playwright Boyd (Gladden Schrock) puts Valerie through her paces, she discovers someone has been sitting in on her rehearsals -- Kent Black (Louis Puopolo), a small-time television actor who tells her he's been putting the finishing touches on a play he plans to stage off Broadway, and he wants Valerie as his star. Throwing caution to the wind, Valerie moves to New York City, only to discover that Kent's play is opening much farther off Broadway than she expected. When her career doesn't take off as fast as she had hoped, Valerie finds herself scrambling for work like any other unemployed actor, including a day spent handing out samples of snack crackers while dressed in a chicken suit. Produced, directed, written, edited, and photographed (using digital video equipment) by Debra Eisenstadt, Daydream Believer was the winner of the Jury Prize at the 2001 Slamdance Film Festival.

Cast

Andrew Hernan
as Carl
Sybil Kempson
as Valerie Woodbury
Gladden Schrock
as Boyd
Wendy Lawrence
as Wendy
Louis Puopolo
as Kent Black
Sherri Parker Lee
as Pamella
Jodi Melnick
as Photographer
Jaqueline Cohen
as Agent
Jacqueline Knapp
as Margot
Tom McWilliams
as Marty
Gail Blobner
as Mother
Suzanne Griffin
as Temp Agent
Heather Beckett
as Jackie
Jason Eksuzian
as Tom
Steven MacKinney
as Mini-Storage Man
Rayme Lyn Cornell
as Party Woman
Phil Nelson
as Party Man
John Savlove
as Temp Talent Show Flirtation
Eddie Reagan
as Temp Talent Show Flirtation
Ben Krasny
as Kid
Will Council
as Kid
Daniel Colson
as Kid
Julia Callow
as Kid
Mica Lopez
as Kid
Claire Kelly
as Kid
Ron Shaver
as Partygoer
Steven Eisenstadt
as Partygoer
C.S. Ledbetter
as Partygoer
Jennifer Rogg
as Partygoer
Nicole Barnett
as Partygoer
Cinnamon Booth
as Chick'n Chip Girl No. 1/Partygoer
Georgia Andrews
as Partygoer
Jared Harrington
as Wendy's Baby
Amanda Ronconi
as Chick'n Chip Girl No. 2
Algeria Morris
as Temp Agency Player
Gia McGinly
as Temp Agency Player
Jennifer Grim
as Temp Agency Player
Cindy List
as Hairdresser
Major Ware
as Doorman
Patrick Barnes
as Temp Talent Show Performer
Beth Sarablum
as Temp Talent Show Performer
Julie Montgomery
as Temp Talent Show Performer
Patrick Tarpey
as Temp Talent Show Performer
Mia Malm
as Temp Talent Show Performer
Pepe Lima
as Pawn Shop Man
Tehron Avatar Prynce
as Pawn Shop Dancer
Debra Eisenstadt
as Rehearsal Girl
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Critic Reviews for Daydream Believer

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (5)

  • It's the best kind of homemade movie, created with skill, modesty and a pleasing awareness of what works in an ultra-low-budget format that tends to be performance and storytelling, rather than visual expressiveness and technical polish.

    September 26, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/5

    Dave Kehr

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • The story doesn't break any new ground, but the movie has energy.

    September 26, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4

    V.A. Musetto

    New York Post
    Top Critic

  • Quote not available.

    December 6, 2005 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
    Film Threat

  • Most of the performances are solid, if a bit over the top.

    December 8, 2002 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Merle Bertrand

    Film Threat

  • Bitingly funny, poignantly sad.

    September 26, 2002 | Rating: 4/5

    Ken Fox

    TV Guide
View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for Daydream Believer

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