Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Dreams Don't Die Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 1, 2021

While made-for-T.V. movies generally play to the broadest audience for broadcast dominance, 1982’s “Dreams Don’t Die” offers slightly edgier fare for younger viewers, exploring the troubles of a street artist in New York City as he deals with reality of his future. Director Roger Young oversees a compelling understanding of maturation and dangerous evening activities, while writer Garry Michael White secures vivid characterization, creating a gripping look at the pressures of oncoming adulthood. “Dreams Don’t Die” gets a little lost in its final act, but there’s an hour of rich dramatic events and defined personalities to savor, while the setting and subculture are respectfully tended to, adding a lived-in sense of life to the endeavor.

Danny (Ike Eisenmann) is 17 years old and trying to become an iconic street artist in New York City, with his “King 65” tag prominent on subway cars. His girlfriend is Teresa (Trini Alvarado), who’s been kicked around foster homes, ready to enjoy the freedom adulthood promises. Teresa is targeted by Captain Kirk (Israel Juarbe), a 15-year-old drug dealer who works for Mr. Gavin (James Broderick), recruited to join his team of couriers, offering her easy money while selling her on the protection of her juvenile status. Danny’s life is changed when he meets Officer Banks (Paul Winfield), a wise but kindly cop who recognizes the boy’s potential as an artist, while Teresa faces nothing but trouble as Captain Kirk is tasked with taming her.

“Dreams Don’t Die” clearly puts in the work to deliver at least a passably authentic portrait of a street artist and his daily experiences. The movie takes time to follow Danny as he sneaks around train stations and cars, looking to perfect his art for public display. He’s been raised by his tortured single mother, left without hope for the future, finding Teresa eager to get out of the city and start fresh elsewhere. The writing generates compelling subplots for the characters, and this includes Captain Kirk, a smooth-talking teen crook who’s been corrupted by Mr. Gavin, facing a 16th birthday that threatens to change his entire life of comfort as he enters an adult criminal justice system. Teresa is lured in by big bucks to help finance her escape from New York, frustrated by Danny’s immobility.

Banks is a decent man hardened by years on the police force, and “Dreams Don’t Die” finds genuine emotional content with the cop and his desire to inspire Danny to do better. This includes offering the teen contacts in the art world and a visit to the Guggenheim Museum, showing Danny how he can use his skills to express himself in a less destructive manner. It’s gentleness in the midst of all these hard characters and their growing bitterness, making “Dreams Don’t Die” special, helping to ease a few melodramatic turns of plot.

Dreams Don't Die Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

There's a colder, urban palette for "Dreams Don't Die," with the AVC encoded image (available in 1.33:1 or 1.85:1 aspect ratios) presentation preserving the streetwise atmosphere of the feature. Graffiti displays deliver richer primaries, along with costuming choices, and skintones are natural. City tours offer darker evening activities, but delineation is precise. Detail is excellent, surveying skin and clothing particulars, while exterior dimension is ideal, preserving city movement and allowing a chance to study signage of the era. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in satisfactory condition.

Dreams Don't Die Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides crisp dialogue exchanges, even as the actors battle background elements around New York City. Emotion is secured, and argumentative behavior is balanced. Scoring selections are lively, offering a defined beat with street art adventures, and more melodramatic offerings for sensitive moments. Instrumentation is clean. Atmospherics are active with street bustle and train activity.

Dreams Don't Die Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features graffiti historian Dino Proserpio and Fun City Edition's Jonathan Hertzberg.

Dreams Don't Die Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Acts of revenge take over the climax of "Dreams Don't Die," with the production hoping to exit on a more exciting note of survival. Violence isn't necessary here, as Danny's arc of enlightenment and hope easily carries the movie, while Teresa and Captain Kirk's troubles add tension to the tale. "Dreams Don't Die" retains enough grit to escape T.V. production limitations, and the cast is wonderful, with everyone making confident choices and selling internalized emotions, contributing to the unexpected success of the effort.