A Review by Phil Calabro
2006, Universal Pictures, Dir. Paul Weitz - Starring Hugh Grant, Dennis Quaid, Mandy Moore, Willem Dafoe, Chris Klein, Jennifer Coolidge, Sam Golzari, Marcia Gay Harden, Seth Meyers, John Cho, Judy Greer, Bernard White, Tony Yalda, Noureen DeWulf, Shohreh Aghdashloo
'American Dreamz' is a fascinating movie, but not amazing. It covers a large range of current social topics, going from the rise of reality television to the structure of government. In the end, each of the characters, regardless of their hierarchical position, are all trying to reach the American Dream. Some are closer than others, some are still fuddling their ways through. Paul Weitz, an intelligent young director who gave us 2004's fabulous 'In Good Company', has been bold and funny enough to give us this little comedic anecdote. However, because of its consumption of society's wrongs and rights, 'American Dreamz's satirical knife is a lot less sharp than wicked farces like 'Thank You For Smoking'. There's too much on Weitz's back, that it occasionally loses focus and sometimes grows a little tiresome. But all in all, 'American Dreamz' encompasses a lot about what our country has become, and relentlessly marks its target for its entire two-hour run - with good performances and burlesque writing.
To catch you up what going on in America: The most popular show on TV is 'American Dreamz', a nation-wide contest to find the new pop idol, as well as being judged by the vicious and inconsiderate Martin Tweed (Grant), who also executive produces the show. Meanwhile, a war has been raging in the Middle East, started by President Joseph Staton (Quaid), who has been reelected into the White House again. However, the President has started to do something new: read the newspaper. Caught up stuff he never learned before, the President becomes a recluse and starts reading entire libraries of books. This is a problem to White House Chief of Staff Sutter (Dafoe), who would rather Staton just listen to what he says by means of an electronic earpiece. Meanwhile, at 'American Dreamz', the competition pits young wannabe Sally Kendoo (Moore) and reluctant terrorist Omer (Golzari, whose character would rather perform on Broadway than kill) in the contest. On a publicity buzz, Sutter signs the President up to be a guets judge on 'American Dreamz', but Omer's former terrorist foes hatch a plan to kill the president - only with their protege's assistance.
Paul Weitz is known for his wonderful cast ensembles, and 'American Dreamz' is no exception to the rule. Dennis Quaid is hilarious yet sympathetic in his role as President Staton. The resemblance to Bush, at face value, is close, but he creates a more lovable figure who makes mistakes rather than a vilified moron. There's no reason to hate him, because he just happens to be a puppet. It's also a joy to see Willem Dafoe in a comedy for once, exercise his best Karl Rove/Dick Cheney hybrid as Sutter - who isn't evil persay, but has his way about him. Mandy Moore is the clone of Kelly Clarkson, who plays off the innocent yet thieving soul who yearns to be known. She personifies the "I know I'm beautiful, and I'll have it my way" character with zest and zing. Hugh Grant plays a fantastic jerk with much panache, whether its from the jackass comments he makes to his audiences and female clients, or his megalomania in general. But the winner here is Sam Golzari, the newcomer who plays Omer, a hilarious yet amiable character who represents the unspoken perspective of the blindeyed rebel who doesn't know quite what he fights for.
As you can see, there's a lot to talk about - and even a lot more I haven't gotten to yet. 'American Dreamz' is loaded with pop culture and the tearing apart the traditional way of American life, but does so in a benign fashion. In the end, it's not about how confused our generation is, but how we, as humans, continuously strive for something more in life. President Staton wants to speak for himself, Sutter wants the President to speak for him, Sally wants to be famous, Martin wants it all, and Omer wants to be something special. There's never a moment of deep, emotional meditation in 'American Dreamz', but it seems to me that this is exactly what Weitz intended. Caricatures are occasionally described as something negative, but they are intended for expressing thoughts, concepts, and people in the most direct way possible. All the characters and themes are caricatures of the American way, but it works in its way - just to a lesser extent than other satires.
'American Dreamz' is pure entertainment, but it has its heart in the right place. Director Weitz doesn't seem to be making a vicious statement about America, but giving people a comical perspective for a change. Rather than standing up and making a change about what we watch on TV or who we see in the White House, Weitz asks us to look and laugh for a minute.
