We hope that people from all walks of life will relate to the story and characters , and that the ultimate message of hope resonates with teenagers and their parents, people who work with teens (social workers, counselors, teachers, etc.), patients in the mental health system, ex-patients, family members, and professionals in the fields of mental health and the legal system.

Judging from audience feedback at early screenings, the film has struck a chord. Many people’s lives are touched by mental illness, either through their own experience or that of loved ones. Many people can relate to being a parent of a teenager, and everyone was a teenager at one time and can relate to the themes of loss, trust, honesty, freedom, anger, hurt, fear, and growing up...

A few comments from exhibitors and press:

“First-time screen actress Morgan Bicknell and vet Vermont actor and farmer George Woodard carry the film with their uncanny performances, and Jacobson has once again forged a potent feature which builds to a stirring final act punctuated by the intoxicating unveiling and music of the fire organ, which is key to the emotional climax...Simply put, it’s a masterpiece... already ranks among the best films of the year for me. Not to be missed.”
Steve Bissette, Green Mountain Cinema

“This fine story unfolds with a great and simple story line of youth, spirit, integrity, love, learning and hope”
Frank Vando, Akwesasne Phoenix, Volume 6, no. 23

“A powerful piece of work! I laughed, I cried and felt very moved. Thanks. Nice work by all, you and your cast and crew should be proud. It brought me right back to being a young adult coming of age, with out being heavy handed, preachy . . . “
Jim Gilmour, Southview Arts

“There is so much beauty, humanity, pain and humor…
Nina Adams, Artistic Director, Film Fest New Haven"

This movie is not like anything you've ever seen... sounds that harken back to a pagan time... amazingly complex characters to whom everyone can relate..."
Christine Huggins, The Dartmouth

“A very serious body of art, a story of personal trials, of relationships, of mystical “music” played...”
Gary Dutton, Connecticut Valley Spectator

“A gripping drama…”
David Somerstein, North Country Public Radio

“Nora Jacobson hasn’t made a film; she’s put together a road map...dealing with issues facing teenagers like death, loneliness, guilt, friendship, empowerment and healing through creativity and art...”
Jon Potter, Brattleboro Reformer

And from general audience members. . .

“Some of the best father-daughter scenes I have seen in any film anywhere!”
“Great story, great premise”
“Nice original treatment of familiar topics, no cliches”
“Uplifting, touching”
“Off beat, real, unreal, mythic”
“I felt amused, angry, sad, concerned, relieved . . .”
“A powerful, fascinating film”

Teenagers, (aged 15-18):
You can’t take your eyes off the screen but pay attention because it has a great message.

The way the film showed teenagers was right on. Thank you for showing the down to earth complexity of life

I loved it, it made me think a lot and be entertained. I wasn’t happy when it ended.

It is an honest eye-opening movie about the life of teens who aren’t the usual teens in movies,they aren’t worrying about prom, they are just living and dealing with life and death the best they can.

...And from an audience member who caught our film at the Lake Placid Film Festival and wrote us this letter:
Dear Vermont friends,
I saw "Nothing Like Dreaming" on Saturday evening in Lake Placid, and thought that it was a fascinating, many-layered film. From the write-up in the program, it was the most appealing film for the time slot, but I didn't expect such a complex movie.

You have done a magnificent job of portraying the depressed Mom and the schizophrenic fire organ builder, without dwelling on their mental illnesses. They book-end the teen, who is essentially resilient and has no chronic mood disorder. Her relationship with friends, parents, and community members is credible and compelling.

The encounter with the social worker, being so gentle, backed up by the heavy handed police to take the organ builder to the hospital rang true. And the image of the fire organ builder emerging from the state hospital, slightly dazed, and trying one more time to make a go, was just right. Your film is far more that a "Bildungsfilm" about teens in Montpelier, VT
Thank you. Anne Bailey Plattsburgh, N. Y.

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