Anyone who has struggled to turn their art — the thing about which they are most passionate — into a career likely will relate to aspects of “Dandelion.”

While the largely charming and effective film’s titular figure is a young Black woman attempting to make it as a singer-songwriter, it is inspired largely by writer-director Nicole Riegel’s experience of trying to make it as a filmmaker.

Dandelion (KiKi Layne) lives in Cincinnati, where she earns a few bucks playing three nights a week at a hotel bar. Bringing with her an electric guitar and its acoustic counterpart, she performs originals and covers such as Gin Blossoms’ “Hey Jealousy” to a small, ever-changing crowd that seemingly couldn’t care less. She attempts to hide how utterly deflating it all is, but her eyes tell the tale.

KiKi Layne portrays Dandelion, a struggling singer-songwriter, in “Dandelion.” (Courtesy of IFC Films)

Her scrolls through social media feeds add to her sadness, as musician peers have gone onto greater levels of success than she has, gathering scores of likes and loves on the daily. Dandelion has had to sacrifice to help care for her mother, Jean (Melanie Nicholls-King), who lives with a pulmonary condition that comes with high expenses.

Dandelion’s breaking point comes when, upon arriving home earlier than expected, catches Jean smoking. The former hits the road, acoustic guitar in two, for a desperate stab at winning a battle of the bands at a bike week celebration in South Dakota.

At the stage, following a well-received act, Dandelion bravely takes the mic but is treated disrespectfully by the largely white, male crowd — it’s bad enough BEFORE a man swipes her leather guitar case from the stage and runs off with it. She gives chase but to no avail.

Her apparent white knight, Scottish singer-songwriter Casey (Thomas Doherty) brings her the case before she can flee the scene. He takes an immediate interest in her and, eventually, convinces her to stick around.

She meets his musical pals and makes a little music with them, appearing to see musical possibilities she never had before.

Dandelion and Casey go off on his bike and write together, almost effortlessly turning a song of hers into something stronger as a duet and, sooner than later, giving into their mutual attraction. She is alive in a way we have never seen her — passionately and creatively.

Thomas Doherty’s Casey and KiKi Layne’s Dandelion make a connection in “Dandelion.” (Courtesy of IFC Films)

Quickly, though, comes the obligatory bickering, which is subsequently reflected in their songwriting. Seemingly, the full Fleetwood Mac-inization of their dynamic takes only hours.

You’d be forgiven for expecting “Dandelion” to be a music-fueled romance. However, the free-and-easy times for Dandelion are few and far between.

More often than not a portrait of pain, the film never feels suffocating, thanks both to the assured direction of Riegel that boasts myriad nice touches.

However, perhaps even more credit for “Dandelion” goes to “If Beale Street Could Talk” star Layne, whose credits also include “Native Son” and “The Old Guard.” In her hands, Dandelion is alternately hard-shelled and vulnerable, hateful and loving — a mix of relatable qualities that make her feel very real.

On the other hand, the performance of Doherty (“The Invitation,” “Gossip Girl”) is uneven as the underwritten Casey, who swings a little wildly among dramatically different personality traits. That said, he has chemistry with Layne, which is paramount for the movie to work as well as it does.

Thomas Doherty portrays Scottish singer-songwriter Casey in “Dandelion.” (Courtesy of IFC Films)

It’s difficult to end a film like “Dandelion,” one interested in offering something more genuine than feel-good. Without going into much detail, the climax of “Dandelion” is lovely but also feels unearned.

It stumbles at other times, too, but, in all, this is a film that deserves to be seen — and heard — thanks to all the talented artists involved in making it.

(“Dandelion” contains sexuality/nudity and language)

“DANDELION”

Rated R. At the AMC Boston Common, South Bay Center, Causeway, Alamo Drafthouse Seaport and suburban theaters.

Grade: A-