Paul Weitz's American Dreamz is a funny, witty and bold satire that pokes fun at American society on multiple levels. Nothing escapes Weitz's grasp -- the Bush administration, terrorists, Hollywood, American Idol and the American public are all targets in this clever yet grotesque comedy. It is not a complete stroke of genius, however, and is a bit over the top. At the same time, its outrageousness is the essence of the film.
As with any political satire, American Dreamz will leave audiences divided. Republican critics will love the clueless Bush double, President Staton (Dennis Quaid), but may feel he is not portrayed harshly enough. Bush fans will be annoyed with the constant slams yet they'll still be entertained since the movie does not focus solely on the current administration. Its spoof of American Idol and the entertainment business in general is hilarious and will be loved by Idol haters and Idol fans alike.
The film begins just after U.S. President Joseph Staton is reelected. Instead of appearing before the press the next morning, he decides to lock himself in his bedroom and take part in what is a novelty for him -- reading the newspaper. Amidst concerns and criticism that he has had a nervous breakdown, his Cheney look-alike chief of staff (Willem Dafoe) gives him "happy pills" and makes a deal to have him appear as a guest judge on the finale of the wildly popular television show American Dreamz. Dreamz is American Idol with all three judges consolidated into one -- the self-centered Simon Cowell twin, Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant).
Tweed later develops a fondness for one of the contestants, Sally Kendoo (Mandy Moore). Kendoo is a cunning, small-town girl who will do anything to make it big, including exploit her dense ex-boyfriend, William Williams (Chris Klein), who is wounded while riding in a caravan on his first day in Iraq. The other main contestant is Iraqi Omer, a clumsy terrorist-in-training who is shipped off to live with his lush, loaded cousins in America. Once he becomes a contestant on the show, he is suddenly a hot commodity for the terrorists who hatch a plan for him to blow up himself and the leader of the free world on the show's finale.
I won't spoil the rest but the chaotic, surprising climax further illustrates the warped America presented in the film.
Dreamz features a well-assembled and talented cast. Moore, a pop starlet herself, adds extra depth and kick to her perfect presentation of the annoying and unlovable Sally Kendoo. Grant is hilarious as the self-centered, smart-mouthed Tweedy. My favorite, however, is Sam Golzari as the lovable would-be terrorist and show-tune-singing Omer. His portrayal is one of the highlights of the film and will keep audiences laughing throughout the crazy plot.
Quaid hasdown -- from his Southern drawl to his Bible reading. While Staton, a.k.a. Bush, is portrayed as a dimwit who ran for office to "prove to [his] mother that any idiot could do it," he is ultimately shown as innocent and uninformed. He is controlled by the real power, his chief of staff. Anti-Bush folks' "dreamz" may be fulfilled by seeing President Staton apologize on live television for the whole "mess" in the Middle East. Bush fans and critics will cheer, however, as Staton edges away from the hold of his chief of staff and begins to make his own decisions.
The political satire is only one aspect of the film, however. Overall, it's more of a light, humorous stab at our fame-and-fortune-driven popular culture which rewards the scheming and self-centeredness of its stars like Kendoo.
Bottom line: I'm not quite sure if it's worth the eight bucks, but American Dreamz is tons of fun and will definitely keep you laughing, no matter what your political persuasion is.
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