Synopsis
The new season of "American Dreamz," the wildly popular television singing contest, has captured the country's attention, as the competition looks to be between a young Midwestern gal and a showtunes-loving young man from Orange County. Recently awakened President Staton even wants in on the craze, as he signs up for the potential explosive season finale.
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Cast
- Hugh GrantMartin Tweed
- Dennis QuaidPresident Staton
- Mandy MooreSally Kendoo
- Willem DafoeChief of Staff
- Chris KleinWilliam Williams
- Jennifer CoolidgeMartha Kendoo
- Sam GolzariOmer
- Marcia Gay HardenFirst Lady
- Seth MeyersChet Krogl
- John ChoIttles
Recommendations
- 83
Entertainment Weekly
A blithe, funny, and engaging movie. - 63
ReelViews
This movie seems better suited as cable or video fare than for theatrical viewing. - 50
The Hollywood Reporter
A film with none of the heart that has characterized Weitz's best work and none of the freshness of his most successful. - 50
New York Magazine (Vulture)
To keep his satirist’s street cred, Weitz chases the sentimentality with sour slaps at the audience. But for all its supposed outrageousness, American Dreamz has a soft center. - 50
Village Voice
The vision of America as a vast, ratings-driven amateur hour is not without promise, but Weitz's movie, named for the most popular TV program in its parallel universe, is disappointingly soft in its individual characterizations. - 50
L.A. Weekly
As in his previous "In Good Company," Weitz wants too much to like all of his characters, and he wants us to like them too. The result is a movie devoid of any threat, or many laughs, with barn door–broad performances. - 40
Variety
Combining a gallery of targets including President Bush, "American Idol," the Iraq War and the overarching theme of a nation of citizens held in the thrall of phony dreams, pic and its ambitions are undermined by insistent cartoonishness and comic ineptitude. - 40
Austin Chronicle
Maybe America will prove me wrong by voting, but I felt like you were holding back until the end.
