Kapity's 'DREAMS', A Gritty, Inner-City Drama

By Darlene Donloe

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore--And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? ---Langston Hughes

Life is already difficult. How much more difficult would it be without dreams?

Joel Kapity’s film, DREAMS recently released on DVD by Lionsgate Home Entertainment, tackles the notion of dreams and how having them is what moves life forward, even for people with a difficult past.

In this gritty drama, the lives of four dreamers takes center stage – literally.   They are a singer, an ex-boxer, a dancer and a rapper.

Mia (Mercado) dreams of singing, Quentin (Lee) dreams of dancing, Paalo (Awinongya) dreams of mending his relationship with his daughter and Alonzo (J’SON) dreams of reconnecting with his family.

Of course, on their way to new beginnings, they all must confront their past, put it behind them and make their way down the yellow brick road that leads to success.

The film is sometimes very difficult to watch. It’s dark, it’s harsh and it’s uncomfortable, but Kapity, who doesn’t rush any of the scenes, plays it to a realistic conclusion.  

Kapity’s stories, set in Joliet and Chicago, not only shows the harsh realities of inner city life, it’s also a story about commitment, passion, overcoming and, most of all, about having heart and about having hope.

The film stars: Tommy Ford, Terri J. Vaughn, Mel Jackson, Geoffrey Owens Dennis “LA” White, Lisa Tucker, Jazsmin Lewis, Lou Myers, Mel Jackson, Grammy nominated Angie Stone, Vickie Winans, Marvin L Winans, Jr., professional dancer Marchello Lee, boxing trainer Joseph Awinongya, R&B singer J’SON, and “American Idol’s” Syesha Mercado.

DREAMS premiered in 2011 and is Kapity’s sophomore film. In 2010 he directed “Blessed and Cursed.”

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (OK) and E (excellent), DREAMS gets an O (OK).

The film is not rated.  Running time: 140 minutes.