"[Nothing Like Dreaming] is heartfelt, intelligent, and shot with an assurance . . . Jacobson . . . is a gifted observer of people colliding in civic and emotional space . . . . "
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

"The film's emotional punch is every bit as powerful as its intellectual one . . . with so much truth and beauty available at that price, it makesyou wonder what Hollywood directors are blowing their millions on. . . . "
Rick Kisonak, Seven Days

"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 Daily Dartmouth

" A terrific and deeply mesmerizing story."
Joey Kulkin, Connecticut Valley Spectator

"A gripping drama that anchors you strongly to a sense of place ”."
David Somerstein, North Country Public Radio

"It draws its viewers through a long tunnel of multi-sensory and emotional stimulation . . . such an amazing gift of story telling. . . ." Kevin Forrest, The Vermont Standard

"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 throughcreativity and art . . . ." Jon Potter, Brattleboro Reformer

"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

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK

Judging from the notes and e-mails we receive after screenings, the film has struck a chord. Many people's lives are touched by emotional trauma, either through their own experiences or that of a loved one. Many people can relate
to being the parent of a teenager, and everyone was a teenager and can relate to the themes of trust, friendship, loss, freedom, anger, fear and
growing up. . . .

From adult 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"

"Beautiful, truthful work"

From teenagers (ages 15-20)

"I liked your film very much. It made me feel cathartic. I just learned that word and I hope I've used it correctly. After your film I felt clear and also full of emotion. I think that I really connected with Emma. It was a wonderful movie, and I thank you for your understanding of teenagers,love, predjudice (sic) and forgiveness. Thank you for putting it into a film."

"I was SO moved by your movie. I cried the entire time. having been a teen myself recently, it REALLY hit home. i think the movie is SO true. . . ."

"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."

"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."

"It made me think a lot and be entertained. I wasn't happy when it ended."

From an audience member who caught our film at the Lake Placid Film Festival and sent 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."

And from the father of an eleven-year old girl:

"I've been meaning to tell you how I've continued to think intensely about your new film. I felt staggered by the experience of seeingit, especially being parent of an eleven-year old girl, just at the beginning of her teenaged years. How do any of us survive that decade?

But along with the direct, personal, visceral impact of the film, I was so moved and impressed by the ways you balance technical artistry and accommodation of what must have been hundreds of logistical challenges with so much HEART. The film is so loving, and so probing--these impossible-to-easily-answer questions you have posed are explored by such human means: the movement of light across faces and hands, the shifts in glances, the collisions of camarderie and fear. You've done a magnificent job and I feel so very grateful. Thank you. Thank you. . . ."