Comedy

American Dreamer

- Hope isn't for everyone.

In this winsome comedy, an entitled Economics professor pursues a tactic to buy an ailing widow’s mansion for nothing, but he quickly realizes that his seemingly foolproof strategy won’t be as easy as he thought.

Release Date : 2022-11-04

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Dektor Film GroupEstuary FilmsGoldenlight Films

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Phil Loder

Original Name : Peter Dinklage

Gender : Male

Character Name : Astrid Fanelli

Original Name : Shirley MacLaine

Gender : Female

Character Name : Maggie Pennington

Original Name : Kimberly Quinn

Gender : Female

Character Name : Craig

Original Name : Danny Pudi

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dell

Original Name : Matt Dillon

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jerry

Original Name : Danny Glover

Gender : Male

Character Name : Clare Milano

Original Name : Michelle Mylett

Gender : Female

Character Name : Officer Burt

Original Name : Peter Kelamis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Beatrice/Babette

Original Name : Rebecca Olson

Gender : Female

Character Name : Nicolai

Original Name : Garry Chalk

Gender : Male

Character Name : Susan

Original Name : Kimberley Shoniker

Gender : Female

Character Name : Boris the Plumber

Original Name : Raresh DiMofte

Gender : Male

Character Name : Econo Student #1

Original Name : Rami Kahlon

Gender : Female

Character Name : Econo Student #2

Original Name : Peter Chao

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dr. Turpin

Original Name : Peter New

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dr. Berton

Original Name : Donald Heng

Gender : Male

Character Name : Rick the Owner

Original Name : Brendan Riggs

Gender : Male

Character Name : Woman

Original Name : Christine Lippa

Gender : Female

Character Name : Man Buying Car

Original Name : C. Ernst Harth

Gender : Male

Character Name : Middle-Aged Mom

Original Name : Corina Akeson

Gender : Female

Character Name : Jim Stanley Jr.

Original Name : Jennifer Juniper Angeli

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mansion Woman

Original Name : Masa Delara

Gender : Female

Character Name : Officer James

Original Name : Frank Warburton Bailey III

Gender : Male

Character Name : Student Videographer

Original Name : Clayton James Booi

Gender : Male

Character Name : Valet

Original Name : Nate Jackson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mercedes Driver

Original Name : Thaddeus Monckton

Gender : Male

Character Name : High School Student #1

Original Name : Morgan Lessard

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bank Teller (uncredited)

Original Name : Annette Jensen-Collett

Gender : Male

Character Name : Security Guard (uncredited)

Original Name : Frederic Robinson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bar Patron / Reunion Attendee (uncredited)

Original Name : Christian J. Stewart

Gender : Male

Reviews

Brent Marchant

@Brent_Marchant

2024-04-27

Is “the American Dream” still alive and well, or is it a pipe dream whose time has come and gone (and perhaps never really was)? That’s the question rhetorically posed in this modestly entertaining fact-based debut feature comedy from director Paul Dektor, which examines the efforts of an optimistic yet cynical economics professor/would-be novelist (Peter Dinklage) with meager means who repeatedly attempts to buy a home far above his pay grade. He’s discouraged by his frank but somewhat oily real estate broker (Matt Dillon) from continuing in this futile Quixotic pursuit until he finds an offer that seems too good to be true, one proposed by an eccentric wealthy widow (Shirley MacLaine) who’s in the early stages of dementia and is fiercely defended by her daughter (Kim Quinn), an astute lawyer determined to liquidate the deal before she and her heirs get swindled. The result is a comedy of errors with warm, fuzzy edges that makes for an often-sweet and tender comedic romp, despite an occasional overreliance on slapstickish humor to sustain laughs. The script is full of delicious little twists and turns, though sometimes the overall narrative doesn’t hang together quite as well as it could have due to its inconsistent character development and occasionally meandering story flow. However, the film’s fine ensemble cast capably holds this project together, thanks to the fine performances of its principals and the solid work of its supporting players, including Danny Glover, Danny Pudi, Michelle Mylett and Raresh DiMofte. “American Dreamer” is far from epic cinema, but it’s certainly an enjoyable watch and a good first effort from the filmmaker. With some further refinement and more experience behind the camera, here’s hoping we can expect more and better work from this promising first-time director.