Hello F(r)iends,
American Dreamz is a funny movie. The characters are interesting and the satire is intelligent. The acting is good, the script is strong, the dialogue amusing. Hell, the movie is even involving and damned entertaining. The problem is that for all its strengths and attempts at social and political commentary the movie falls into using the same ploys that the movie’s writers have no problem lambasting, namely: propaganda.
REVIEW: Possible Spoiler Alert.
In American Dreamz, the president of the United States is a simple man, lacking in intellect, often lacking in critical knowledge in the political climate of today and of the state of world affairs. In fact, the president is downright an ignorant hick that typically does not read the newspaper and is largely an empty shell used by his Chief of Staff (played by actor Willem Dafoe) who is reminiscent of real life VP Dick Cheney. Dafoe has been quoted as claiming that the resemblance is merely an “accident”. Ahem.
In the film, this hillbilly president has a breakdown shortly after being re-elected. This sudden crack comes in the form of suddenly reading anything and everything that he can get his hands on. At one point, the President comments to Cheney… err to his Chief of Staff:
Did you know there are two kinds of Iraqistanis? I mean, actually, three?
Chief of Staff (Cheney look alike): You mean Sunnis and Shi’ites and Kurds?
President Staton: You knew about this?
As a result of this breakdown, the President skips out on a few weeks worth of meeting with the press which leads to speculation that the President has suffered a breakdown. This problem leads the Chief of Staff to decide that the President needs to meet with the average American. And what better method to do that then through a television aimed at average Americans? Enter Martin Tweed (played by Hugh Grant). Martin Tweed is a Simon Cowell knock-off that disparages contestants with witty and snide comments. Tweed agrees to allow the President to be a guest judge on the shows finale. Which, coincidentally, the finale is between a ‘sweet All American girl’ named Sally Kendoo, a ‘hip/cool Orthodox Jewish rapper’ named , and an ‘endearing Arab’. Of course, the Arab is part of a terrorist plot to kill the President on the season finale… Let the good times roll!
ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERS
As the review may indicate, the movie uses characters to make social commentary. Below is a list of these characters.
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Sally Kendoo (Mandy Moore) is one of the three finalist on the finale of American Dreamz. She is supposed to represent the kind, humble, mid-western or southern sweetheart that is beloved by all. In actuality, Sally is a detached, selfish, manipulative person. Perhaps her name is social commentary representing America’s can-do attitude where the ends justify the means.
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William Williams (Chris Klein) is an innocent. He can’t see Sally Kendoo for what she is and he loves her no matter what she does and what she says or how she treats him. He is a soldier, a fool, a pawn. Get the liberal picture? Also, an interesting name
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Omer (Sam Golzari) is one of the three finalists on the finale of American Dreamz the poor innocent Iraqi, with a pure, kind heart that is forced to turn to terrorism because America bombs killed his mother. Smell that?
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Sholem Glickstein (Adam Busch) is the last of the three finalist on American Dreamz and is a Jewish rapper. He is the only character that is not portrayed as some naive or innocent fool. In fact, this character bows out with grace and is not a part of the theatrics in the world of American Dreamz. The character is also the most dignified one who is at some point shown with several attractive black female groupies. Is it a coincidence that Chris Weitz (producer of the film) and his brother Paul Weitz (writer and director of the film) are both Jewish? Sure. It’s very realistic to think that an Orthodox Jew would accept the attentions of black women that aren’t Jewish. Did I mention that I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I would like to sell ya…
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President Stanton (Dennis Quaid) is the moronic and ignorant President. I find the name interesting because Stanton was the last name of a U.S. Secretary of War that led to the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Coincidene? Probably. But what isn’t a coincidence is that liberal actor Dennis Quaid played a part in the farce of a film called “The Day After Tomorrow” where another Cheney look alike had the president’s ear (I might add that the President was also a weak and comical President).
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Chief of Staff (William Dafoe) plays the manipulative advisor to President Stanton. This Chief goes as far as dictating to the President what he must say in public, how he should decide on political affairs and the like… nothing at all like real life. All just “accident” I am sure.
And of course, the media is not plagued by the liberal agenda and neither is Hollywood.
-Thirst4WetDreamz
P.S. Sorry for the messy review, it was a bit rushed.