Exploring the Whimsical World of “Dream Team”
“Dream Team” is a delightful romp that revels in its own absurdity, making any attempt to extract serious meaning from it a fruitless endeavor. However, this lack of gravity is precisely the film’s charm. Helmed by the inventive duo of Lev Kalman and Whitney Horn, known for their previous works like “Two Plains and a Fancy” and “L for Leisure,” the film is a playful homage to the late-night cable thrillers of the 1990s, infused with a cheekily erotic twist.
Set against the backdrop of 1997, the film introduces us to two quirky Interpol agents: No St. Aubergine (played by Esther Garrel) and Chase National (portrayed by Alex Zhang Hungtai). Their mission? To unravel a bizarre conspiracy that may involve the ominous threat of murderous coral. Their adventure leads them to the vibrant landscapes of Mexico, where they encounter an eclectic cast of characters, including a captivating marine biologist named Veronica Beef (played by Minh T Mia), who embodies the quintessential ’90s professional archetype. Meanwhile, in British Columbia, two young women, Fariha Roisin and Isabelle Barbier, are tasked with researching the case but seem more preoccupied with their fitness routines.
The film’s silliness is an intentional feature rather than a flaw. “Dream Team” is cleverly divided into episodes with playful titles such as “Coral Me Bad” and “Fax on the Beach” (and yes, there is a fax machine on the beach!). The movie is shot on grainy 16-millimeter film, which imparts a nostalgic and somewhat dreamlike quality, making the viewer feel as if they have either dozed off or indulged in some hallucinogenic experience. For long stretches, the audience is treated to a series of vignettes, from mesmerizing underwater coral scenes to energetic dance parties in clubs, and even moments spent in a desert strewn with discarded aerobics gear. The narrative unfolds in a disjointed manner, with the central plot ebbing and flowing, ultimately trailing off into a whimsical sunset.
This is not to suggest that “Dream Team” is a bad film; rather, whether you deem it a success may hinge on your appetite for irony and the absurd. It is undoubtedly entertaining. I challenge anyone not to chuckle when a character announces, “I’ll start searching Lexis,” only to be met with the reply, “Got it — I’m on Nexis.” For viewers who came of age during this quirky era, the film strikes a nostalgic chord, showcasing relics like dial-up modems, outdated computer graphics, and even one of those infamous abdominal crunch rocker devices that many remember gathering dust in basements.
