Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

California Dreaming Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 25, 2020

The frolicking and playful mischief of a traditional beach party movie isn’t going to fly in the 1970s, inspiring writer Ned Wynn (who appeared in several Annette Funicello/Frankie Avalon pictures) to attempt something with a little more dramatic substance for 1978’s “California Dreaming.” At least for a little while. Trying to offer audiences more in the way of character development and feeling while still indulging adolescent shenanigans, the feature has something of a personality, dealing with self-destructive behaviors and challenging relationships, also bringing in a cast eager to offer more than just a basic routine of teen lust and cartoon antagonism. “California Dreaming” ultimately gets too heavy for its own good, but the first two acts manage to avoid a few expectations, with Wynn interested in generating a community atmosphere filled with odd people either hoping to achieve or actively deny their dreams.

T.T. (Dennis Christopher) is fresh off the bus from Chicago, arriving in Los Angeles to live close to the beach and remain in contact with his late brother’s obsession with jazz. He finds a friend in Duke (Seymour Cassel), a bar owner dealing with his ex-wife, bikini shop owner Fay (Dorothy Tristan), and his daughter, Corky (Glynnis O’Connor). Offered a room by Duke, T.T. happily accepts, embarking on an unusual education in beach culture, with the area made up of volleyball players and surfers. Rick (John Calvin) is the king of the local surfers and a practicing womanizer, which doesn’t sit well with his girlfriend, Stephanie (Tanya Roberts). While T.T. is handed the ins and outs of volleyball by Duke to help him attract women, the awkward young man is also adopted by Rick and his buddies, learning how to ride waves and act cool, leading to confusion when his heart aches for Corky, and she doesn’t respond to his new attitude.

T.T. is a strange guy, arriving in California with nowhere to go, bringing along his brother’s trumpet and jazz records, trying to sell himself as a midwestern hepcat to help dazzle the beach bums. Such an act is quickly cooled by Duke, who establishes himself as something of a mentor for the new kid in town, offering him a room and volleyball lessons, trying to squeeze him into the community. Duke is odd too, sharing longwinded stories of past glories, trying to impress T.T. and others with his achievements, and while they dazzle the visitor, they bore everyone else, with locals used to hearing the bar owner’s nonsense. T.T.’s experience by the beach is the central plot in “California Dreaming,” but Wynn makes time for Duke’s POV, dealing with Fay and her dreams to go to Hawaii, not allowing their divorce to get in the way of their relationship. There’s also Rick and his surfer mojo, nearing the expiration date on his appeal, juggling pals and women while frustrating Stephanie, who also pines for Hawaiian beaches.

And if that wasn’t enough, Wynn writes himself a part as Earl, a mechanic who’s caught up in a weird wager that has him sealed inside his car for six weeks, which allows rival Jordy (Todd Sussman) to advance on Earl’s girlfriend, Corrine (Alice Playten).

“California Dreaming” strives to be an ensemble piece, with director John Hancock (“Bang the Drum Slowly,” “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death”) juggling numerous subplots and dramatic movements while still making sure silliness is tended to. This includes movie night in town, with the surfers drinking themselves into a stupor while T.T. experiments with marijuana, feeling the high as his senses tune into female contact. Beach activity is common as well, with a decent amount of surfing footage utilized to keep the target demographic happy, following T.T.’s evolution from jazz nerd to Rick’s minion, attacking the waves with Duke’s humongous redwood surfboard. Laughs aren’t quite there, but the spirit of “California Dreaming” is appreciable, with Hancock looking to sell the allure of Los Angeles leisure, and Wynn amplifies hornball antics, giving his coming-of-age offering some spunk.

California Dreaming Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "California Dreaming" is sourced from a "brand new 2019 HD master." Original cinematography for the movie already favors a softer look, giving the effort a sunlit haze, and detail does what it can here, emerging though facial surfaces and costuming, while body particulars are appealing, surveying all types of beach inhabitants. Distances are reasonably dimensional, and interiors retain an adequate look at decorative additions. Colors are appealing, favoring vibrant beachwear and evening dresses, including a blue outfit worn by Stephanie. There's a brighter palette to enjoy, exploring blue skies and golden sunsets, while signage and automobiles deliver varied hues. Skintones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in decent condition, with a few discolored frames. Mild judder is detected.

California Dreaming Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix remains simple, focusing on dialogue exchanges, which provide a clear understanding of dramatic intent. Scoring cues support with adequate instrumentation, and soundtrack cuts carry a bit more power for montages and credits. Beach atmospherics are understood, keeping waves and community bustle appreciable.

California Dreaming Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director John Handcock.

• Interview (12:40, HD) discusses "California Dreaming" with star Dennis Christopher, who shares a simple audition story, believing the producers chose him due to his working history with Robert Altman, making him an easy fit for the ensemble nature of the movie. Christopher explores his amazement that a performer from Philadelphia managed to secure a role in a surfing film, and that his inability to swim didn't prevent him from getting the part. The substance of the screenplay is inspected, with the interviewee recalling the time period's interest in character and feeling. An assessment of director John Hancock is shared, and co-stars are remembered, including heavy interest in Glynnis O'Connor. Christopher also shares his growth as an actor during production, developing confidence to guide his performance.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:38, HD) is included.

California Dreaming Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

To its credit, "California Dreaming" makes the effort to take these characters seriously, understanding how they hurt, following Stephanie's disillusionment with Rick, who can't control himself. Time with T.T. and Corky examines their love/hate relationship, which evolves into something more, keeping the virginal girl on edge as she contemplates making a life-changing decision. Even Rick is kept away from cliché, exposed as guy who can't throttle his urges, comfortable with his destructive routine even as he recognizes his failures. There's plenty here to understand, which is a pleasant change of pace, keeping the movie from being a simplistic comedy. However, the final act dives into melodrama, suddenly shifting into severity that doesn't mesh with the overall tone of the picture. It's an awkward transition into gloominess, forcing the endeavor to exit on a downbeat note, which doesn't feel organic. "California Dreaming" doesn't stick the landing, but the ride there provides relatively distinct personalities and an appealing overview of beach life, giving viewers the escapism they're after as Wynn follows exploitation orders and strives to deal compassionately with his characters, keeping the Frankie & Annette vibe at arm's length.