‘Dreamin’ Wild’ warmly tells true story of a man’s teenage dreams coming true decades later

Donnie Emerson (Casey Affleck) learns the songs he recorded as a teenager have found a second life in “Dreamin’ Wild.” (Magnolia Pictures)

In 1979, teenage brothers Donnie and Joe Emerson released an album titled “Dreamin’ Wild,” featuring songs such as “Good Time,” “My Heart,” “Dream Full of Dreams” and “Baby.” Sporting high-collared, white jumpsuits and Donny Osmond-esque hairdos, the lads appeared to be on the precipice of stardom.

Except nobody bought their album. They retreated back to a quiet life in the Pacific Northwest, never to be heard from again — until a record collector stumbled upon the album some 30 years later, was enthralled by the melodic and haunting blue-eyed soul sounds, raved about it online, and set off a viral explosion that led to the re-release of “Dreamin’ Wild,” and one last chance for the now middle-aged Donnie and Joe Emerson.