08/14/2026
FPL’S On a Screen Near You – Dreamin’ Wild
In life, dreams can come true, but maybe not always in the way you wanted or thought they would. That’s the lesson the characters learn in the 2022 movie Dreamin’ Wild (now available on Kanopy, the movie streaming service available free with your Franklin Public Library card). The movie is based on the real-life story of musical brothers Donnie and Joe Emerson, who released a self-produced album in 1979 (a mix of pop, rock, soul, R&B and country influences) when they were just teens. The album, Dreamin’ Wild, was recorded in a state-of-the-art studio the brothers built with their father in rural Washington state. The record sold very few copies, but years later was heard by the right ears. Donnie and Joe are approached in 2012 by a Seattle indie record company who are ecstatic about the songs, and offer to re-issue a proper release on their label. The album experiences some underground success, but past resentments, disappointments, guilt, and misperceptions prevent the duo from capitalizing on this second chance on a mass level. Casey Affleck (Manchester By the Sea) gives a very affecting performance as Donnie, the musical driver of the duo, whose career ambitions never quite materialize. Walter Goggins (from TV’s The Shield and Justified) is great as the affable Joe, whose love and support for his brother make their music possible. Actor Noah Jupe is also outstanding as the teenage Donnie. Rounding out the cast are Zooey Deschanel as Joe’s wife Nancy, and Beau Bridges as the brothers’ always supportive dad. It’s not a story of failure, though. The brothers realize that even though they didn’t hit it big on the charts, the satisfaction of knowing their newfound fans love their music, and the love of their family bring them a type of success they can accept.
