Walton Goggins takes scene-stealing turn as drummer in Dreamin’ Wild

“Dreamin’ Wild,” starring Casey Affleck and Walton Goggins, is the true story of brothers Donnie and Joe Emerson, who formed a two-piece band as teens while working on the family farm in Fruitland, Wash. In real life, Donnie (portrayed by Oscar-winner Affleck) did most of the heavy lifting in terms of music production (vocals, lyrics, guitar) while brother Joe (Goggins) was less than skilled on the drums.

But on set of the biopic, director-writer Bill Pohlad said it was Goggins who shined in the musical department, despite no prior experience playing an instrument. In fact, the “Hateful Eight” star took the role so seriously and learned to play the drums so well, he had to “unlearn” a little.

“He was great — OK, not great, but he was really good,” Pohlad said of his drumming skills. “He studied a lot for it, unlike Casey. [Walton] had the aspiration really, was excited about it.”

Prior to filming, Goggins worked with musician Tommy Stinson (Replacements, Guns N’ Roses) and other real-life drummers to play the less talentedbrother.

As a result, Goggins walks away with every scene he is in.

“He’s an amazing guy,” said Pohlad. “He did a great job.”

The film, which premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival in September 2022, was sourced from a New York Times article by Steven Kurutz, who partnered with Pohlad on the screenplay. The result is an endearing portrait of a father’s love, crushed boyhood dreams, epic financial losses, and the ultimate redemption when the brother’s debut album (also called “Dreamin’ Wild”) is suddenly unearthed and reissued by Light in Attic.

The original record was produced in Hollywood in 1979, for which the brothers suited up in cheesy matching Elvis-style jumpsuits during a photoshoot for the cover’s image.

After the record goes nowhere, that is where the brothers return to the farm sending Donnie into a depressive state, which Affleck has no problems conveying in the film. He mopes, he sighs, finds little joy in playing music with his lovely and adoring wife Nancy Sophia (played by Zooey Deschanel) and often blames Joe for their lack of success.

Joe’s inner torment and melancholy, as conveyed by Goggins, is what carries the film — Donnie Emerson goes as far as calling his portrayal of his brother “transformative.”

”I’ve watched [Goggins] in many other films,” Donnie Emerson told the Daily News. “While to me, this film, this role, is so unique for him because my brother is a downhome guy, lives on a very isolated farm.”

Goggins currently stars as Baby Billy in HBO’s “Righteous Gemstones” alongside friend and former collaborator Danny McBride (“Vice Principals”).

”His ideology is so condensed to this one period all the time. He lives that time period, all the time,” Emerson said of Joe. “And the way Walton portrayed my brother, you can feel it, that period in time.”

When Emerson and his wife Nancy Sophia spoke to The News, their passions regarding all the film’s portrayals were evident, especially when referencing a scene where Donnie reads Joe the riot act.

”He’s so believable, he nailed it,” Emerson said as he held back tears. “Sometimes I watch that scene, I feel so bad…I see my brother’s face. I really do.”

Pohlad, who also directed the Brian Wilson biopic “Love & Mercy,” identifies as a “frustrated musician.”

”I have always wanted to play music, but I never followed through on any of it, unfortunately,” he told the News. “So I ended up channeling my musical interest into the work I do…obviously, it’s OK.”

Pohlad, whose career spans decades, received an Oscar nod for “Tree of Life” and produced “Twelve Years a Slave.”

Beau Bridges plays the Emerson boys’ long-suffering father. Chris Messina appears as the journalist whose rural road trip gave new life to the music. Donnie contributed new music to the film and still tours the country with Nancy Sophia now on drums.

”Everybody should see this film because it hits home,” said Nancy Sophia, who met husband Donnie on a blind date. “We all have family and if we are not close to our family, it’s gonna make you want to get close to your family again.”

Distributed by Roadside Attractions , “Dreamin’ Wild” film hits theaters Friday, August 4.