Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story (2000)

In the heat of 1965, under the shadow of The Beatles' monumental fame, an audacious concept is born. Visionary television producer Harris Green and the ambitious Van Foreman hatch a bold plan: to create a television show centered around four bandmates, all fictionalized versions of themselves, navigating through the throes of their everyday lives while their music concurrently hits the vinyl. The show's audacious aim? To captivate the hearts and minds of the youthful generation. Struggling to find the perfect blend of characters, their search culminates in the discovery of four unknowns: Micky Dolenz, the former child TV star; Davy Jones, the accomplished Broadway actor; and two authentic musicians, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, adding the final harmonious notes to the quartet known as The Monkees. With the stage set, Foreman entrusts the musical reins to the renowned producer Don Kirshner. Kirshner's vision is simple yet potentially controversial: the boys are to be the glamorous facade while other musicians remain concealed behind the scenes. Despite initial hiccups, the show and The Monkees skyrocket to fame, weaving a captivating spell over the teenage girl demographic. However, beneath the glittering surface of success, discord begins to brew. The authenticity of the band's musical talent comes under harsh scrutiny, casting a cloud of doubt over their meteoric rise. Peter and Mike, the band's true musicians, yearn for the band to stand on its own merit, to rise or fall by their own musical talents. Davy, the star among the ensemble, is caught in a whirlwind of fame and personal identity, seeking happiness that eludes him despite individual triumphs. The Monkees' journey becomes a tumultuous quest for artistic legitimacy, from honing their musical skills to experimenting with unconventional ideas for their show and film, Head. Yet, every attempt seems to deepen the chasm between public perception and their self-image. The band's internal dynamics begin to unravel as they grapple with the dichotomy between material success and artistic respect, setting them on a collision course with their producers and, more perilously, with each other. Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story is an immersive exploration of fame, identity, and the relentless pursuit of artistic validation, set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1960s' music and television industry.

Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story is a drama movie featuring George Stanchev.

Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Plex, Plex Player, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV and VUDU Free and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video.

It is also possible to buy Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story on Amazon Video and Vudu or rent it on Pantaflix.