TL;DR – It was a profoundly odd film that was also surprisingly charming.

Post-Credit Scene – There is a mid-credit scene.

Disclosure – I was sent a screener of this film

American Dreamer Review –

There are times when you want a big, bombastic work of cinema, and then there are times when you want a smaller character work where an actor can really dig into a character. Today, we get to look at the latter, set in the odd world of academia, which I understand, and the stranger world of real estate, of which I do not.

So, to set the scene, Dr Phil Loder (Peter Dinklage) is an adjunct professor of economics, which means he is not high up on the academic totem pole. He is not well thought of and will never have the money for the house he wants [look … relatable]. As people say, “he is a dreamer, not a doer”. But one day, when looking at the houses he can’t afford, he comes across a listing for a home that is well out of his reach but with a ‘Live In’ option that cuts millions of dollars off the price. It seems too good to be true; the owner gets to stay there until they die, but she is old, so that shouldn’t be much of a wait. 

A lot is going on here in the movie, but the one thing they absolutely nail is the vibes around working in a University/College. The professor’s room is filled to the brim with books and boxes so high that you better hope no one spots it in a fire inspection. The frustrations brought on by insecure teaching, lacklustre administration, and the joys in finding some students who actually care about the content you are teaching. Also, there is a very well-written code … even for graduate students. It is all these small points that make those moments land.

I also respect that Peter Dinklage is throwing all of himself into this role, as he makes one pratfall after another. These odd slapstick moments add to the slightly bemusing vibe that permeates the film as you try to work out who is scamming who. We get the whole gamut of emotions, and he hits all of them pitch perfectly. All of this is helped by his and Shirley MacLaine’s fantastic chemistry together. This film is so odd at times. Thankfully, they help ground things before they escape the realm of possibility. They bring a level of charm to what is a surprisingly weird film at times.

While it was a compelling watch, thanks to strong character actors popping up at every turn, I am not sure every part of the film worked. The fact that Phil sees hallucinations never really worked in the context of the film, creating an overly confusing addition in a way that felt superfluous to the narrative. It also dilutes some of the more complicated points the film wants to hit home with. It has a lot to say about modern trickledown economics, the role of wealth, and the world of academia outside the main narrative and things get lost in places.  

In the end, do we recommend American Dreamer? Well, if you want to see a strong character piece by Peter Dinklage, who is giving their all, then yes. If you wish to look longingly at properties on the Victorian coastline that you will never afford, then also, yes. If nothing else, I will take with me the advice to call real estate agents ‘dirt pimps’. Have you watched American Dreamer? Let us know what you thought in the comments below. If you liked American Dreamer, we would recommend to you Thelma.

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

Feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of American Dreamer
Directed by – Paul Dektor
Screenplay by – Theodore Melfi
Story by – Theodore Melfi & Chris Wehner
Based on – This American Life
Music by – Jeff Russo
Cinematography by – Nicolas Bolduc
Edited by – Lisa Jane Robison
Production/Distribution Companies – Flying Firebird, Goldenlight Films, Estuary Films,     Noble600, Vertical & Eagle Entertainment
Starring – Peter Dinklage, Shirley MacLaine, Kim Quinn, Danny Pudi, Matt Dillon, Danny Glover, Michelle Mylett, Peter Kelamis, Rebecca Olson, Garry Chalk & Peter New
Rating – around an Australia: M;