American Dreamz

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American Dreamz
Directed by Paul Weitz
Produced by Rodney M. Liber
Andrew Milano
Chris Weitz
Paul Weitz
Written by Paul Weitz
Starring Hugh Grant
Dennis Quaid
Mandy Moore
Willem Dafoe
Marcia Gay Harden
Chris Klein
Jennifer Coolidge
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s) April 21, 2006
Language English
Budget $19,000,000 (estimated)
IMDb profile

American Dreamz is a 2006 comedy film that satirizes both American politics and popular entertainment.

It was widely speculated that the movie is meant to parody both the TV show American Idol and the George W. Bush administration, a speculation director Paul Weitz seemed to confirm when he said about the movie, "It’s almost too timely. Both the administration and American Idol do such a great job of parodying themselves that you almost can’t top them."[1]

  • Tagline: Imagine a country where more people vote for a pop idol than for their next President.

Contents

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

On the morning of his re-election, US President Joseph Staton (Dennis Quaid) decides to read the newspaper for the first time in four years. This starts him down a slippery slope. He begins reading obsessively, reexamining his black and white view of the world, holing up in his bedroom in his pajamas. Frightened by the President's apparent nervous breakdown, his Chief of Staff (Willem Dafoe) pushes him back into the spotlight, booking him as a guest judge on the television ratings juggernaut (and the President's personal favorite), the weekly talent show "American Dreamz", a show similar in format to the modern-day American Idol.

America can't seem to get enough of American Dreamz, hosted by self-aggrandizing, self-loathing Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant), ever on the lookout for the next insta-celebrity. His latest crop of hopefuls includes Sally Kendoo (Mandy Moore), a conniving steel magnolia with a devoted, dopey veteran boyfriend, and Omer (Sam Golzari).

Because Omer's mother died in the Middle-East in an American attack, he joined a group of terrorists. He was an actor in an instructing film for terrorists, but he was too clumsy, and also his interest in Western music was frowned upon. Therefore he was sent to the U.S. to await further instructions, but the leaders expect they cannot use him. He now lives in Southern California with his family, including his effeminate cousin Iqbal (Tony Yalda). Iqbal hoped to be allowed to participate in American Dreamz, but Omer is selected instead. Iqbal becomes his manager.

Omer's terrorist organisation now sees an opportunity: Omer is instructed to do his best to try to make it to the finale, and kill the president in a suicide attack. He succeeds in getting to the finale. Security is bypassed by assembling the bomb after the security check, in the toilet, from small parts smuggled in. Small pieces of explosives are disguised as chewing gum. Omer agrees, but changes his mind and disposes of the bomb in the trash can.

Sally is the other finalist. Earlier she dumped her boyfriend William Williams (Chris Klein). He went into the army, was wounded in Iraq, and came back to the U.S. For the purpose of the show, Sally pretends she still loves William. However, he sees Sally having sex with Martin, and is furious. After he finds the bomb in the trash can, he comes on stage and threatens to detonate it. While the other people evacuate, William starts singing and Martin films it. As William reaches the end of the song, he presses the button to detonate the bomb, killing both himself and Martin.

The end of the film reveals what each of the characters went on to do after the end of last season. Omer went on to become a successful star of his own Broadway revue. At the end of the film he appears in a scene from the musical Grease. The President makes his wife his new chief of staff. And Sally Kendoo becomes the new host of American Dreamz, starting the cycle all over again.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Box office

As of August 28, 2006, the film has grossed a total of USD $7.19 million in the United States box office. The worldwide gross is about $16 million overall. Note the film only opened in 1500 theaters, half of what would ordinary constitute a wide release.

In the Netherlands, the film debuted at #7, dropping to #10 in its second week. As of June 14, 2006, the film has grossed a total of € 92,432 in the Netherlands.

In Spain, the film debuted at #11, earning $109,681 in 50 theatres. The following week dropped to #15, grossing $58,467.

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1]

[edit] External links

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