Dandelion boasts lovely intentions but is lackluster in execution.

| Mar 27, 2025

It feels like an indie film from the 1990s in its disarming simplicity...its retro appeal goes a long way, but it's Layne, capably carrying the film on her shoulders, who seals the deal.

| Sep 16, 2024

An authentic story and song.

| Original Score: B | Aug 23, 2024

Dandelion is a somewhat lightweight but enjoyable film that lets KiKi Layne shine for two hours, and there are certainly worse ways to spend your time than watching KiKi Layne.

| Aug 17, 2024

"Dandelion" is a realistic singer-songwriter hero's journey with an excellent romance, and even better music. Possibly depressing to up-and-coming artists.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 11, 2024

It's a smaller, slow-burn, and there may be audiences wondering why we're spending so much time with this character...but you can't understand the journey as an artist without those smaller things...I love the flow of this.

| Jul 30, 2024

Exceptional because it gets both the technical and emotional details right.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jul 30, 2024

KiKi Layne is resplendent in this lyrical & beautifully-shot musical drama. While the slow pacing might frustrate some, it leaves room for self-reflection and offers a respite from the brisk but overloaded summer movies.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jul 29, 2024

This film doesn’t glamorize this lifestyle or prescribe an unbelievably optimistic ending for Dandelion on this journey, but it does chart a realistic and very compelling course, with superb performances and music to be found all along the way.

| Original Score: B+ | Jul 27, 2024

Dandelion's narrative zigs and zags in surprising ways, allowing for a small victory to still represent some sort of genuine accomplishment.

| Jul 23, 2024

Glorious autumn-tinged visuals and KiKi Layne’s lead performance give this combination of Nomadland and Wild Rose some high notes well worth listening to.

| Jul 19, 2024

The music is an extension of the emotional being of these characters while sounding and playing great during key cinematic moments.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jul 18, 2024

Dandelion is the work of a filmmaker on the rise.

| Jul 17, 2024

There is nothing inherently wrong with clichés, but the problem is that Dandelion never convinces us that the hero is worthy of them. The film’s music is boring and anemic, the stuff you might hear in a dentist's waiting room.

| Original Score: 1.5/5 | Jul 17, 2024

Introduces several intriguing story and character dynamics before easing into the least interesting and most familiar version of itself

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jul 17, 2024

Kiki Layne is radiant as a struggling musician in Nicole Riegel's sophomore film. Featuring songs written by Bryce and Aaron Dessner of The National, the message here is never give up on your dream.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jul 17, 2024

KiKi Layne’s performance and the songs help smooth over some of the blander passages of the love affair in a story that grasps the limbo of one’s dreams and that every pursuit doesn’t always end in success.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 16, 2024

“Dandelion” is a film that stands out not only for its powerful narrative, but also for the passion and talent of everyone involved in its creation. [Full review in Spanish]

| Jul 15, 2024

Dandelion has noble intentions, studying the sad realism of when to give up on your dreams, but is told with too much sappiness and artificiality. Cloying music & sentimentality linger in a narrative that could benefit from a leaner edit.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 15, 2024

A wonderful character study about a singer-songwriter who isn’t the usual story of skyrocketing career success but rather a story of romance, heartbreak, and struggle

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jul 15, 2024