I liked it. That saying though, the film works best during the first act and the third act. The first act focuses on President Stanton and satarizing the relationship between President Bush and Vice President Cheney. It's really very well done, and one thing that did shock me is that they didn't seem to go for the jugular like some other filmmakers might have done. Even though they are satarizing them and making fun of them, they almost seem to have a respect for them in the process. In other words they don't go too far over the top. Yes, they basically imply that Bush is a puppet, and Cheney is pulling the strings, but still......The first act also focuses on the show "American Dreamz", the casting process and a terrorist traning camp out of Iraq where we meet the character of Omer. I'm not sure who played him, but he almost steals the film in the third act. The satarizing during the first act is very well done.

As you might have guessed from my opening sentence, the film isn't without it's problems though, and this mostly comes during the second act. For one, it's too long. It's streched out and becomes slightly tedious. During this stretch of time, the film loses focus on what it wants to satarize. Does it want to satarize American Idol, or the relationships that some of the judges may or may not have had during the show. The only thing that keeps the second act somewhat interesting is because of the plot involving Omer and a bunch of terrorists killing the President. That saying though, President "Stanton" is completely forgotten about for about 30-40 minutes.

However, President Stanton comes back during the final act for the final show of American Dreamz, and the film finishes on a good note, especially by a character named Omer and his randition of "My Way".

If it weren't for a long second act, and a couple of bizzare additions into the screenplay, this could've been as great as Wag the Dog. Instead it comes up just a little short. It's a very good film, but it could've been much better.

B+

"American Dreamz, Paul Weitz's good-natured satire of pop, politics and our bloated sense of entitlement (arguably our biggest export) lampoons the great American disconnect from reality by locating the place where all these things intersect."
-- Carina Chocano, LOS ANGELES TIMES

"Rather than treating its characters as walking punchlines, American Dreamz gets us to like them, reveling, from the inside, in their plasma-screen narcissism."
-- Owen Gleiberman, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

"American Dreamz is an often uproarious, always ambitious gutting of modern America that cuts painfully close to the truth from beginning to end."
-- Tom Long, DETROIT NEWS

"A comedy of modern culture [that] shows us how deep our shallowness runs."
-- Phil Kloer, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

In just a few short years, the reality television show "American Idol" has become a staple of our culture. Easily the most popular show against each other, viewers watch with glee as contestants vie for a high-profile recording contract - their ticket to fame and fortune. It is a simple concept, but the show is made addicting due to the biting remarks often made by the vivacious team of judges. When put together, the combination is an entertaining yet occassionally mean-spirited show that is ripe for mockery and satire. Director Paul Weitz, who helmed the teen movie classic American Pie and corporate-world comedy In Good Company, is the first director to take on this dubious task. Armed with an all-star cast, he also sets out to expose the ridiculousness of American politics and the war in Iraq as well. The result is AMERICAN DREAMZ, a witty and smart satire that is sure to be one of the year's strongest comedies.

Hugh Grant stars as Martin Tweed, the host of the top-rated television show "American Dreamz." Billed as a show that can make your dreams come true, Martin realizes and accepts how shallow and meaningless the show really is. This is why, in his search for contestants, he attempts to pick out someone from each mold in society. Create drama and diversity and the audiences will turn out in droves. The frontrunner in this year's competition is Sally Kendoo (Mandy Moore), a beautiful young songstress from a small town in Ohio. With a loving mother (Jennifer Coolidge) and caring boyfriend (Chris Klein), Sally is the ideal American sweetheart. However, the world does not see the real Sally Kendoo. Behind the cameras is a vicious young woman determined at all costs to win the competition. An underdog is found in Omer (Sam Golzari), a mild-mannered and friendly Iraqi with a love for showtunes.

Dennis Quaid joins the fun as President Staton, a virtual send up of current President George W. Bush. Staton has a good heart but is completely dim-witted, with most of his publicity coming from his Chief Of Staff (Willem Dafoe) and loving wife (Marcia Gay Harden). After living in seclusion for many weeks and re-evaluating his life, the President agrees to return to the public eye, beginning with a stint as a guest judge on the "American Dreamz" finale. But what the President doesn't know is that Omer has been hired by a group of terrorists to bomb the finale, in effect assassinating the President. That is, of course, if he doesn't get eliminated first.

AMERICAN DREAMZ, unlike this year's previous satire THANK YOU FOR SMOKING isn't extremely vicious or offensive. It's fairly bright and lighthearted, similar to the tone of Weitz's past films. But it does provide enough orginality and cleverness to keep the satire lover amused throughout. Weitz writes and directs the film and proves once again that he is one talented individual. His script is laugh-out-loud funny at times and always filled with a fun sense of spirit. But amidst all the laughs, he also gives his characters rich backgrounds and makes them as believable as possible. By doing this, he is even able to make the idiotic President a genuinely likable character - something that is pretty unexpected. The direction is also good, not incredibly flashy but providing many subtle references for fans of "American Idol" that will garner a laugh or two.

The film's strongest aspect, however, is the cast - all of whom turn in top-notch performances. Hugh Grant once again scores as Tweed, a seemingly nasty individual who actually feels very human. He understands the industry he works in and seems to have no problem with it at all. Grant is often hilarious and undeniably charming throughout. Dennis Quaid successfully does a spot-on George Bush impression, but really makes his character seem like a victim to the madness of politics. He succeeds both comedically and dramatically here, showing his excellent range. Mandy Moore was spot-on as the determined Sally Kendoo, delivering a scene-stealing performance. After playing a similar (yet tamer) role in Saved!, Moore goes all out here - turning in a hilariously sinister performance. She proves that she is one of the most talented young actresses working today.

Supporting performances are also excellent. Willem Dafoe is almost unrecognizable as a Dick Cheney clone, and is very funny here. Chris Klein once again plays the role of the lovable idiot, but his character offers a major surprise near the film's climax. Jennifer Coolidge is good but underused here, but succeeds in her small role. Seth Meyers is hilarious in a smaller role as Sally's agent, and Marcia Gay Harden is solid but underused as the First Lady. However, one of the film's standout performances comes from Sam Golzari as Omer. He is one of the film's only genuinely nice characters, and he is incredibly likable and infectious. His character is one who is forced into doing something he doesn't want to do, and Golzari makes his struggle seem very realistic. He is the real heart and soul of a film that would otherwise have none at all, stealing the movie at many points throughout.

Overall, this is one of the year's finest comedies and surefire entertainment for all audiences. With an excellent script, a great cast delivering fine performances and many hilarious scenes, this is a comedic gem that is truly a winner! Highly recommended.

9/10 (A-)

People, PLEASE go out and support this criminally underrated gem!

cory - do you write reviews for another website? Because even if i disagree with you, your reviews are well thought out.

Nope, not yet at least. I had one review published on the site a while back, but other than that I just write them for fun.

Thanks though! It's always nice to recieve compliments.

I also agree with getluv, your reviews are great I hope to be seeing this movie either tonight or tomorrow. Hope it's as good as it seems

A little too broad considering the fact it comes across as too clean at times, but American Dreamz is, at times, an achingly hilarious comedy. Hugh Grant is effectively slimy as the Simon Cowell-ish host of the program, Dennis Quaid presents an endearingly clueless president (if Bush is really that lost and confused in real life, I may like him more) and Mandy Moore is pitch-perfect as a conniving steel magnolia who knows exactly how to get ahead. Willem Dafoe (Cheney 2.0), Marcia Gay Harden and others fill out a talented supporting cast. Overall, the film plays it safe too often, but that doesn't stop it from being a very entertaining movie. B

Surprisingly good but lacking for the first half. The pacing is a bit off and the plot could have used a little work from time to time. Otherwise though the film is quite enjoyable and the end is simply great. B

I agree, the end was the highlight for me

While there were some funny bits, overall, I hated it. First movie I saw this year, and I definitely should've gone to Thank You For Smoking.

That one is better, but I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this more

My expectations may have been too high, since I had seen some comparisons to Saved! I thought Mandy Moore was at her worst, and Hugh Grant and Dennis Quaid were both too much. The only saving grace was Ichbar or whatever the gay cousin's name was.

I'm very surprised about how much I liked it. I came in with some really low expectations and got a pleasent surprise. It was witty and very funny and the performances were all great (Especially Mandy Moore). A very clever ending as well. My one complaint is that it felt a little bit unfocused at times, but I really enjoyed it overall.

B

B

Absolutely hilarious film, if not slightly declawed. It runs a bit too long (the second half loses alot of steam), but the climax makes up for it. It could have been one of the funniest films of the year if it had more bite, but as is, it's an often hilarious, good natured comedy. Highly entertaining.

wha a mess of a movie. Not only is it ot funny, it's slightly insulting, even for this leftist liberal.

if you're gonna make a mockery out of important issues, at least do it in a funny way a la South Park or Team America.

F

Team America and funny don't belong in the same sentance unless separated by "extremely boring and un-" ...

I completely agree.

I was thinking, I should probably bump my grade for AD down to a B. I mean, I gave TYFS a B+, and it was significantly funnier than AD.

Yeah, I gave it a B myself, mainly because the middle lagged so much. It could have been better for sure, but it wasn't that bad as it is.

You know, i struggle with that two. Grade Inflation! I gave Friends with Money a B- only cause I gave Bettie Page a C+, and said to myself, "Well its a little better than that."

Don't do it. Don't let past errors affect all future grading! When i go too easy on a film (a.k.a HERO) I end up giving every single movie the rest of the year a disproportionately high grade! Let past decisions be revisited in an annual top ten. That's when i throw grades out the window altogether and just think what stuck with me for the entire year.


BTW, I thought it dealt with a very sensitive topic quite candidly. People's uber-visions of their famous selves!

Heh, I change grades around from time to time, which is generally why I prefer to write my reviews a few days after seeing a film, giving me time to reflect on it.

Okay - why didn't anybody here tell me how great this movie was?

Why do I bother visiting a forum like WOKJ if I can't occasionally get a heads up on a quality film that has been severely under rated and slipped under the critical and box office radar? Huh!?!

This movie wields it's cheese as a satirical broadsword in a quest for the righteous truth.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one - welcome to top ten status, American Dreamz - you're one of the best of 2006 so far...

6 out of 5.

I should seriously keep track of your reviews Bradley... out of all of the reviews that I read from you, the only one that i have disagreed with is Date Movie... other than that, I seem to share many of your same taste in movies (from the reviews I read and movies I saw that you reviewed).

I think the comparisons to Saved! that you had seen were indeed apt -- though perhaps the writers neglected to mention that this turns out to be the Muslim Saved!...

I would like to declare that Neostorm is in no way affiliated with Witherberry Productions AG and that this type of opinion is not only, not solicited, but hereby officially discouraged.

(Run, Neostorm, RUN!!!)