The Sundance film festival always produces great films, but some films seem to get lost along the way. After all of the big films are purchased by distributors, some movies struggle to even find distribution, which leads to a long delay before hitting mainstream audiences.
A key example of this is Imperial Dreams, which is finally being released by Netflix after premiering at Sundance all the way back in 2014. The film follows Bambi, a former gangster who has been released from prison. Bambi tries desperately to stay away from the crime life while taking care of his son in the projects.
It’s a shame that Imperial Dreams has taken so long to find its way to audiences, because its a very worthwhile flick that tackles the troubles of poverty and the projects with realism and emotional heft.
Center stage here is John Boyega, who continues to prove he is a star at the young age of 24. Boyega gives easily his most dramatically-demanding performances yet, but he executes it flawlessly. The audience feels all of Bambi’s struggles as he tries to hold his life and morals together against the chaos of crime around him. Boyega has a natural presence onscreen and makes every emotional moment the character has feel incredibly authentic.
Much of what makes Imperial Dreams stand out is writer/director Malik Vitthal’s efforts. Vitthal brings a lot of nuance into this film’s seemingly simplistic story, as the film tackles the troubling issues that much of former imprisoned citizens face. Bambi’s journey of trying to get his life back together often feels hopeless, with the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in his way preventing him from getting a job or fixing his life. Its a heartbreaking reality, one Vitthal captures with raw emotion.
In a lot of ways, Imperial Dreams feels like a more grounded version of The Pursuit of Happiness. It realistically captures Bambi’s search for a structured life, but shows this tough process has no easy answers. This film’s toughest scenes are often times its best, with some shocking moments resonating a great deal with audiences.
Imperial Dreams however has some problematic aspects at its core. Much of the film’s narrative feels a bit of a rehash, with almost every major plot point being predictable from the start. This lessens the impact of the realistic setting the film sets up. Also, this is one of the few films I wish was a bit longer, with its 86 minute running time not being enough to capture the film’s complex themes.
Imperial Dreams is a thoughtfully-crafted and impactful flick featuring another star-making performance from John Boyega.