TV Warning: Despite the star-studded cast, this crime thriller is just a lukewarm version of the Oscar film ‘Traffic’

The thriller drama ‘Dreamland’ features an astonishing top ensemble of popular and decorated actors. Despite this, the title did not even see the light of day on big screens in most countries. This was also the case in Germany, where it was released for home theater only – at the time under its original US title “Crisis”. There are reasons for this, which we will explain to you later in this article.

For anyone who wants to take the risk despite our warning: “Dreamland” will be shown today, November 6, 2023 at 10:15 PM on ZDF. There will be a repeat on the night of November 7 to 8 at 12.45 pm. Alternatively, you can watch the FSK-16 title for free in the ZDF media library for a few weeks after the initial broadcast has ended. However, due to the age restriction, this is only possible from 10 p.m. – unless you register there and confirm that you are of sufficient age. Alternatively, Blu-ray, DVD or paid video on demand are available:

The film’s undoubtedly impressive cast includes Oscar winner Gary Oldman (“The Dark Knight”), Armie Hammer (“The Social Network”), “The Hobbit” and Marvel heroine Evangeline Lilly (“Ant-Man 1-3”) and Michelle. Rodriguez from the series ‘Fast & Furious’.

Also in attendance: Greg Kinnear (“It Doesn’t Get Better”), Lily-Rose Depp (“The Idol”), Luke Evans (“Beauty and the Beast”), Mia Kirshner (“The L Word”), Kid Cudi (‘X’), Indira Varma from ‘Game Of Thrones’ and local star Veronica Ferres (‘The Superwoman’).

“Dreamland” on ZDF: that is the story

In the course of the plot, the fates of a number of people who do not know each other intersect – their commonality is the topic of drugs. First there’s undercover agent Jake (Hammer), who plans a major smuggling operation between the US and Canada, which will then be exposed. He and his colleagues want to take a number of powerful cartels out of circulation.

Meanwhile, Claire (Lilly), who suffered from a severe addiction to painkillers, discovers that her late son was involved in the drug trade. At the same time, university professor Brower (Oldman) discovers that the sponsor of his current research is misleading his clients: Dr. The pharmaceutical company led by Holmes (Ferres), with connections in the highest political circles, markets a new drug that claims to be non-addictive. What a lie is…

“Traffic” has done all this before! And better!!

One of the biggest problems with the work of director Nicholas Jarecki (“Arbitrage”) is that he only half-heartedly manages to combine suspense and character study. “Dreamland” also covers considerably more topics than it can cover in just under two hours. The film therefore only scratches the surface of several relevant problems that it actually wants to fully expose.

As noted in author Sidney Schering’s FILMSTARTS review, who gave it only a lukewarm 2 out of 5 stars, the individual parts of the story never really come together and are all strangely isolated. If there are any cross-pollinations between the storylines, they seem very thin or forced; a true narrative connection is never achieved coherently. Furthermore, Jarecki repeatedly resorts to an excess of stereotypical characters and situations, as well as narrative platitudes.

Instead of ‘Dreamland’ it might be better to look at its clear model, not only for its theme, but especially for its structure: the four-time Oscar winner ‘Traffic – The Power of the Cartel’ from master director Steven Soderbergh (“Oceans Eleven ”). It also offers a long parade of stars in interlocking episodes, but goes much deeper thematically and especially emotionally.

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