...was perfect. I've never really known what to think of Mandy Moore since I don't listen to her music and I never saw enough of her acting to judge, but she did what she was supposed to and it turned out well. Hugh Grant was...heh he was fantastic. The funniest part was the whole terrorist-but-kinda-doesnt-want-to-be-since-he-loves-Broadway competing on American Dreamz- I need to find out his name. He was cute and a pretty good singer.
And the highlight of it all, I think, was Dennis Quaid. He got down an impersanation of Bush perfectly. I was laughing through the whole thing and I suggest everyone to see it. It was definately different.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/10/04
i've heard/it got nothing but the best reviews. i think it's exactly what the country needed (not united 93)... i actually think mandy moore is terrific.
on a side note. i haven't seen you forever sb! i miss you!
Nothing but the best reviews?
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_dreamz/
Some of the major critics liked it: LA Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Sun Times. There were more but I just glanced at it really quick.
I'm a huge fun of About A Boy, so I'll see just about anything the Weitz brothers put out. This one looks like fun.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/8/05
I saw it today with a couple friends. It was ok for the most part. But lets just say the end was.... bizzare. When the lights came back on, my friend and I both said "What the hell was that?"
I wanted to love it, I went in expecting to love it, came out less than impressed. On the plus side, there were some very amusing parts and I think it does a great job of poking fun at the American Idol phenomenon, the lengths people will go to for stardom, and the dreams people have.
Overall, it's an entertaining 2 hours, but nothing amazing and nothing I'd go out and buy. It's a good movie to watch with friends though.
The only thing I was iffy about was the beginning, that Iraq terrorist video thing. It was only for like two seconds though, because at first I didn't really know what to expect as far as how far they would go making fun of terrorists and Arabic people. I don't know why I got jumpy on that, but I did. But it turned out to be fine.
Overall it was just, I thought, the perfect comedy.
You're right, the ending was bizzare. I'm not sure if they were trying to actually make it sentimental as far as the whole "Hugh Grant depressed because no one truly loves him" thing, you know? Still worth it though.
P.s. Hi darcey!!
mandy moore's best movie is Saved! go rent it, it's fantastic
Featured Actor Joined: 12/26/05
I just saw the movie tonight and I loved it! I went in thinking it was going to be okay and came out laughing so much. I'm not a big fan of Mandy Moore but I think she did alright. I really loved Hugh Grant's character a lot.
Saw it today in a fairly crowded theater that was either full of Republicans or morons (no comment on the cross-section) because there were maybe 5 people laughing at much of the satire. I thought the Bu...uh...Dennis Quaid character was dead on, and Willem Defoe was awesome as the Rove/Cheney hybrid. When the film was over, a lot of the kids in the theater were complaining they didn't like it at all. I'm not sure what they expected.
While the end was strange - very strange - I really enjoyed the movie. There were several VERY funny moments - and I have to say, I think Chris Klein almost stole the movie from the rest of the cast. That strange ending - weird as it was - had me absolutely cracking up, and much of it was due to his performance.
Stand-by Joined: 5/24/04
I just saw it. My friend was like "oh we should see American Dreamz." I had never heard about it except I knew Mandy Moore was in it. During the first 15-30 minutes I was like "what am I watching" but then I was hysterically laughing and ended up really liking it. Its one of those movies where you are just like "omg did that actually just happen?"
I was surprised at the star studded cast playing such ridiculous roles, but each played them perfectly.
I thought this movie was hilarious, especially Omar and his gay cousin. Hugh Grant and Mandy Moore were awesome and I actually liked the ending. Black comedy always amuses me.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/4/05
Omar was my favorite!
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/4/05
I'm dying to see it
Saved was terrible, American Dreams was only good because it was stupid which made it funny.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/31/06
"mandy moore's best movie is Saved! go rent it, it's fantastic"
I liked Saved too, although almost everyone else who I've talked to doesn't agree. I think I've liked all the movies Mandy Moore has been in, I'm just glad she's at least singing as well as acting in this movie since she has a great voice!
You're right jasonf- Chris Klein was wonderful. The ending was his, definately.
And you know what? I have been Omerized.
It was definitely one of those movies where you expected to be completely impressed and a really awesome movie, but some of the plot lines didnt completely work out. And the ending was just WEIRD...so I guess it was okay, but it wasnt the greatest...
Broadway Star Joined: 7/4/05
Yeah, I had no idea what it was about before I walked into the theater and somebody told me it was about an "American Idol" type show. It wasn't that bad though! I knew Omar wouldn't end up being the bad guy, so that made me happy. And I thought his cousin was awesome. Both of them, actually. And William reminded me of Forrest Gump.
Seriously though, Omar made me so very happy. I think I'll see it again just so Omar can make me happy. Again.
Stand-by Joined: 12/5/05
I just saw the movie today too. I really enjoyed it, but there were parts, especially the ending, where my friend and I just looked at eachother like "seriously? that just happened?" I had a good time though. I really enjoyed it, but like some others, it's not something I'd necessarily go out and buy.
Aw really you thought? I couldn't get enough of it...as stated before...
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
Just got back from seeing, absolutely loved it. Or maybe I'm just on afterglow since I'm such a gigantic fan of Sholem.
...Nah, still thought it was great!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I love Saved! Ah, such a great movie.
I'll probably see this, soon. Not sure when.
Videos