The greatest movie ever made..!

Gripping story with well-crafted characters

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

This satire on fame, politics and the Middle East might had been an brave undertaking back in 2006 but falls woefully short of its targets.Hugh Grant plays a creator, host and producer of an American Idol type show but he is capable of being more cynical, bitter, twisted than the Simon Cowell lite version we have here, it was a waste of Grant's talents that such an opportunity for him to shine was wasted.Dennis Quaid plays the spaced out President of the USA who becomes a guest judge for the final, but Quaid's President is just a barely sketched out role and rather dull and boring part of the film. Only Willem Dafoe in heavy make up shines as a Dick Cheney type manipulator. Once again Dafoe shows that whilst heavily disguised he can play fast and loose than the more uptight portrayals when he is without it.The rest of the film concerns a would be Middle East terrorist who loves show tunes and ends up visiting wealthy relatives in the USA, a rapping Jewish Rabbi and a trailer trash go getter who will stop at nothing to get to the top and her dim boyfriend who joins the armed forces.Together they somehow end up in the Pop Idol type show, but the satire on talent shows, the manipulation of the media, politics and people could be had been more sharper and cynical, some of it works but its too hit and miss and could had gone deeper under the skin but I guess the film-makers lost their edge when it came to the final cut.

This is a hilarious, if not perfect, satire. Mainly making fun of everything related to American pop culture, this also dedicates effort to parodying the administration of the time(and not doing anything to make it less obvious that that's what it's about)... and as something nice and different, it's about their personalities, not their politics. The humor is excellent, with a lot of dark comedy and absurdity, as well as cleverness. There is a lot of bravery in how far it goes to mock certain things, and I found the vast majority of it hysterical. With that said, some jokes and gags try too hard and fall flat. And I won't be an ass and claim that "everyone who doesn't like this doesn't get it". Weitz also directed American Pie and Down to Earth, and like in the first-mentioned, this juggles several plot-lines well. The characters are mostly credible, if not all the events are. It should perhaps be mentioned that you are, in fact, not supposed to sympathize with everyone in this, and it also is worth noting that there *are* a couple of likable ones, that you can relate to. The performances are a tad mixed, but they tend to be good. Klein is great, as is Grant. Greer isn't given enough to do, in my opinion. And yes, Moore is pretty annoying. She's not an actress, or wasn't at this point. The singing in this is enjoyable. There is occasional sexuality(and a little eye-candy, for both genders), mainly hinted at, sometimes in dialog(no details), and brief strong language in this. I recommend this to anyone that can imagine being entertained by it. 7/10

This is my short review of the film American Dreams. Which drastically tanked back in 2006. It's a real shame too because it's a pretty funny film. American Dreams is a comedy that you most likely won't see anything like it again. At first, you may think that the film sounds like an American Idol spoof. It's actually far from it... it's about terrorism. What is the world coming to when Hugh Grant is starring in a film about terrorism? The film isn't all about terrorism, but it partially has to do with terrorism. Anyways, I think that there are many funny moments in American Dreams. Hugh Grant is fantastic as Martin Tweed, who is the host of the show. He is always great at playing an asshole. My favorite line in the film is from what he says." You know my mum always used to say to me... 'Martin, you have no talent. Nobody will ever love you'. Well look at me now mum... look where no talent will get you you genus drunk old bitch!" That's really funny. Or at least I think it is. American Dreams is a daring comedy that works well. I think you should find this hidden gem somewhere, I don't know where but find it.

You wrote an excellent review, as far as I'm concerned. It was from your point of view and that is what a review is all about, but William Dafoe played the Chief of Staff, not the Vice President. If he had played the role of the VP I would not have enjoyed the movie as much, because the real life President and VP NEVER spend that much time in close proximity, due to security reasons and for logistical purposes. However, I agree whole heartedly that Dafoe played the Dick Chenney role, regardless of what character he portrayed in the movie. I think Weitz did an admirable job with this movie even though I disagree with part of his premise. I believe it is nearly impossible for anyone to know what the President or members of Alqueada think or do in their own space. Then again, I guess, maybe I shouldn't take these satires so seriously huh?