"American Dreamz" is a smart satire that examines the current face of American pop culture from the vantage point of an "American Idol"-type television show. The appeal of "American Dreamz" lies in its honesty and blunt humor.
The president of the United States (Dennis Quaid of "The Rookie") has just realized that he knows nothing about being a good statesman. President Staton's subsequent depression coincides with that of the host of the "American Dreamz" television show, Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant of "About a Boy"), who realizes that his entire life is meaningless, much like the show that has made him rich and famous.
Quaid plays the president with a rich Texas drawl that mimics our own fearless leader. But Bushie is not the target of the film's satire. There is no inclination to hate him. If anything, Quaid brings innocence to the character that conjures a certain level of compassion.
Grant is surprisingly convincing as the cunning Martin Tweed, modeled after the profitably ruthless "Idol" judge Simon Cowell, a change from his usual romantic-comedy, nice-guy lead. On the surface, Tweed is a morally corrupt miser who cares more about money and fame than about people's feelings. However, Tweed has moments of clarity that hint at a true conscience buried beneath his greed.
One of the contestants on "American Dreamz" is the darling Sally Kendo (Mandy Moore of "Saved!"), a down-home country girl. The other participants include people from various racial and cultural backgrounds, poking fun at the "American Idol" formula that deliberately ensures equal representation.
Sally Kendo reveals just how miserable she really is despite her polished exterior. Her name suggests an important aspect of her character. She has a real "can-do" attitude, and it is her ambition to be successful. The unrealistic prospect of fame and fortune continually frustrates her and chips away at her cheery demeanor.
The film's only fault is its inability to maintain a congruent focus. The attention that is devoted to each of the central characters is lacking just enough to leave the viewer confused. By the end of the film, it is as though the lines are so expertly planned out by the various intersections of the characters that their individual stories lead nowhere.
Director Paul Weitz shows range with a filmography that includes the lowball "American Pie" and acclaimed romantic comedy "About a Boy." True to past performance, Weitz is unabashed in his portrayal of the American dream as a lie.
He draws brilliant parallels between show business and politics that expose how interchangeable these institutions have become. The president is fed dialogue through an earpiece so that he can sound more intelligent at press conferences, while Tweed rallies his producers to find some "freaks" to feature on the television show in order to increase ratings.
Weitz also deals with the problem of terrorism. An Iraqi-American family is portrayed as normal citizens, which is refreshing at a time when the media is flooded with negative portrayals of people from the Middle East. See "United 93." Or don't. That's fine too.
Ultimately, the film raises several important questions about what it means to be American in today's culture. By parodying show business, "American Dreamz" shows how the music industry can obscure and distort the identity of an artist.
Once their fa?\0xA4ades have been lifted, the contestants are revealed as disenchanted artists struggling with the actuality of the American dream, which comes out looking just as banal and fake as the "American Dreamz" show.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
