Dale Dickey Wows In ‘A Love Song’

Max Walker-Silverman’s A Love Song is a simple story. Following an isolated woman in an isolated area via a narrative portrayed through subtleties, it’s the kind of story that rises and falls on the strength of its direction and performances alone. With Dale Dickey’s electric central portrayal and some novel plot choices that add complexity where it counts, it’s a lovely story of a woman finding a new lease on life.

Faye (an electric Dale Dickey) sets up her camper in the mountains at a little out-of-the-way campsite, passing the time alone with an old radio and bird watching. She’s clearly waiting for something, someone. The widow is hoping to meet with an old childhood friend, Lito (Wes Studi), patiently waiting for any letter or sign of her visitor. When he arrives, it gives Faye new hope, sending her into a new chapter of her life in unexpected ways.

For a debut feature, Max Walker-Silverman’s subtle romantic drama is directed with a skilled hand, balancing a complex array of tones to tell an engaging tale that sits in the same vein as Nomadland and thematically related narratives. It’s moving tale that hinges around a killer central performance, but it’s also smartly punctuated by comedic and charming moments that give a welcome degree of levity. Every single visit from the neighboring cowhands was an absolute treat. There’s also a degree of whimsy in the pacing, framing, and directing, sometimes feeling like Wes Anderson took a turn at Nomadland’s helm.

It’s an incredible turn for seasoned character actor Dale Dickey, whose emotional performance is positively electric in its subtle heartbreaking intensity. There are long takes of nothing but her in moving close-up, and it’s impossible to look away. She’s an exceptional lead in this simple tale. Wes Studi’s Lito is also excellent in a charismatic but reserved turn, and the pair share great, effortless on-screen chemistry. Moreover, DP Alfonso Herrera Salcedo produces some positively tremendous shots in the third act, while adding considerable visual variety throughout.

Altogether, A Love Song could be another carbon copy of so much that’s gone before. Instead, we have a breezy, moving tribute to a woman who refuses to be stuck in her pain, who continues to grow, and it’s a tale told with more humor and wonderful imagery than expected.