 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
American Dreamz
- Review Date: October 16, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Social satire more for teens and adults.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this satire pokes fun at President Bush, American Idol, and Western fears of terrorism (the would-be presidential assassins here are "Arabic" and comic). The film makes the TV show and the presidential administration look equally dishonest. A character cheats on her fiancé. Characters make fun of "white trash." Terrorists carry and fire guns, and plan a suicide bombing; one terrorist says he enjoys torturing people; another character blows himself up to protest his girlfriend's betrayal (you don't see explosion or deaths). In Iraq, a character is barely shot (grazed) and sent home on his first day. Characters drink beer and wine, and the First Lady takes pills for depression.
What's the story?
With two intersecting plots, the satire AMERICAN DREAMZ takes aim at two national icons -- President Bush and American Idol. Sally (Mandy Moore) is an aspiring singer who breaks up with boyfriend William (Chris Klein) to pursue her career. She gets a spot on American Dreamz, hosted by snooty Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant), who likes his paycheck and the chance to bed contestants, but otherwise appears to despise everything about his job. Meanwhile, President Staton (Dennis Quaid) has a breakdown following his reelection. His Chief of Staff (Willem Dafoe) decides that the best PR tactic is to have him appear as a guest judge on American Dreamz. The announcement inspires terrorists to plan a suicide bombing on the show. Terrorist agent Omer (Sam Golzari) is packed off to the U.S. to live with relatives in Beverly Hills, including his American Dreamz-aspiring, completely charismatic cousin, Iqbal (Tony Yalda). Omer is wired with an explosive for the suicide mission, but he ultimately denies the wishes of his cohorts. When Iqbal's own efforts to get on the show fail, he agrees to coach Omer. Omer generates remarkable sympathy and fandom on the show (inspiring "Omermania"). Eventually the plots converge on the television set.
Is it any good?
American Dreamz skewers President Bush and American Idol in order to make obvious points: game shows are rigged, the President is clueless, and the most powerful man in the U.S. is Simon Cowell.
The movie offers uninteresting jokes about contestants (essentially, providing imitations of previous American Idol contestants, from Fantasia to Kelly to Clay, whose appearances make you re-realize the originals are already self-parodies). Indeed. While the movie presumes its easy targets are "bad," its parodies aren't very clever either. And so the entire exercise seems more redundant than inspired.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the function of satire. How can making fun of something provide critique or even suggest ways to change? How do this movie's particular parodies touch on broader themes, such as corruption, commercialism, cynicism? Does it matter that American Idol might be fixed, if it is designed to be entertainment?
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AGE
Pretty funny
American Dreamz is a funny movie. Dont let your nine year old see it though.
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AGE
My 10 year old sister had picked this out and we went home and watched it. My parents sat down and watched it with us as well. The whole time, they were shaking their heads because of the scences with Mandy Moore. It was really funny and I would watch it again, but I think taht kids under 12 wouldn't understand most parts.
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April 9, 2008
AGE
It was pretty good.....
I liked it however my friends said it was stupid. I must admit it was a little stupid, but it was hilarious. I couldn't not stop laughing especially at the terrist camp!
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AGE
A real eye-opener! Great job!
Great movie. Not what I expected. I thought I would be rolling in the aisles. Instead, what I saw was the truth being exposed and done very well! A lot of sexual innuendos and alchohol use. My son is almost 13 and I was a bit embarassed about a couple of scenes he saw. On the overall, if your teen is mature enough to understand politics and the demise our country is in, it is a good idea to let them see this. Although I would have to say they gave George W. too much credit. They allude to the idea that he is too dumb to understand what he has done to American. Not a chance, he knows exactly what he has done and could care less that we are in a mess. Overall great movie.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Paul Weitz |
| Cast: | Dennis Quaid, Hugh Grant, Mandy Moore |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 111 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 21, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | October 17, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | brief strong language and some sexual references |
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