Taglines: Everything begins somewhere.
Dandelion movie storyline. In a small town of rolling fields and endless skies, isolated 16 year old Mason lives in a world where families exist in fragmented silence and love seems to have gone missing. Then Mason meets Danny, a sensitive and troubled girl, and their tender bond is soon tested after a fatal accident and a series of complications takes Mason away for something he didn’t do. Upon his return, the two find what they’re looking for – but with tragic consequences.
Dandelion is a 2004 drama film directed and co-written by Mark Milgard and stars Vincent Kartheiser, Blake Heron, Taryn Manning, Arliss Howard, and Mare Winningham. The director of photography was Tim Orr. The film premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and went on to play the festival circuit, screening at the Vienna International Film Festival and the Seattle International Film Festival. It was given a limited release in American theaters on October 7, 2005.
After the film debuted at Sundance, it went on to play numerous film festivals around the world, including Viennale, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Montreal International Film Festival, the London Film Festival, and the Tokyo International Film Festival.
About the Story
In a small town of rolling fields and endless skies, isolated 16-year-old Mason Mullich lives in a world where families exist in fragmented silence and love seems to have gone missing. Mason lives with his mother, father and mentally ill uncle. Mason’s father is a local politician running for office and is stern, and somewhat abusive towards his family, while his mother is submissive and dutiful, albeit unstable.
While resting in the grass one day Mason is approached by Danny, a sensitive and troubled girl. They strike up a tender friendship and begin to spend more time together. This bond is torn apart when Mason’s father kills a man whilst driving and Mason is blamed for the crime. He is sent to prison for two years and upon getting out sees that Danny is now in a relationship. While they are both still attracted to each other, threats from Danny’s possessive boyfriend and Danny’s own perception of what she deserves pose a conflict.
Through time, they are able to overcome these conflicts and begin some semblance of a relationship. Though Mason’s home life is even more unstable and unhappy than before, he find solace in Danny. Eventually on one of their walks they become intimate, solidifying their relationship. Later Mason, Danny and a friend go in a field to drink and have fun. Mason’s friend brings narcotics and Danny decides to get high. Later that night she goes into the pond and kills herself. Mason, devastated, is framed for supplying the drugs. In the ending, he makes bail, then escapes by jumping on a freight train.
Dandelion (2004)
Directed by: Mark Milgard
Starring: Vincent Kartheiser, Blake Heron, Taryn Manning, Arliss Howard, Mare Winningham, Michelle Forbes, Marshall Bell, Shawn Reaves, Robert Blanche, Stephan Weyte, Don Stroud
Screenplay by: Mark Milgard, Robb Williamson, R. D. Murphy
Production Design by: Judy Becker
Cinematography by: Tim Orr
Film Editing by: Amy E. Duddleston
Costume Design by: Jill Newell
Set Decoration by: Heather Loeffler
Art Direction by: Jill Alexander
Music by: Robb Williamson
MPAA Rating: R for drug and alcohol use, violent images, sexuality and language – all involving teens.
Distributed by: International Film Circuit
Release Date: January 2004 (Sundance), October 7, 2005 (United States)
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