Phil (Peter Dinklage) is a professor of economics. Like many, he wants to settle down and purchase a beautiful home; however, achieving the ‘American Dream’ is not so simple these days. Writing a book or even getting a parking permit at work seems nearly impossible. House prices are at an all-time high, and Phil’s salary of fifty thousand dollars a year doesn’t help much either. Phil’s background, including divorcing the same woman twice, has also affected his savings. But it’s not just a home that Phil desires.
Phil maintains contact with Dell (Matt Dillon), a real estate agent who frequently invites him to open houses, which only adds to Phil’s frustration, especially when the price is unachievable. One day, Phil comes across an advertisement for a home that seems too good to be true. An older woman named Astrid (Shirley MacLaine) is offering an incredible deal: Phil can move into the house for a modest sum and inherit the entire property when she dies. The only condition is that Phil must handle maintenance and repairs while living there.
Cautious about the offer, Phil consults Dell, who assures him that it’s a fantastic opportunity and encourages him to pursue it. After selling everything he owns and using his life savings, Phil pays the upfront cost and moves in with Astrid. However, this decision increases stress and complexity rather than simplifying his life. The house has serious issues that require far more money for repairs than he can afford, and Astrid’s demeanour is also challenging to be around. Phil is frustrated and becomes suspicious because of specific clauses in the house contract. He wonders if Astrid has a large family who will inherit the house instead of him when she passes away. Can Phil navigate these challenges and ultimately achieve the American dream?
American Dreamer is a comedy film and marks Paul Dektor’s directorial debut. Before this project, Paul had several co-executive producer credits, including the TV mini-series How to Become a Cult Leader and How to Become a Tyrant.
I found Peter Dinklage’s performance as Phil in the comedy highly entertaining. While pursuing the American Dream of homeownership, Phil faces a series of minor challenges that either frustrate him, from the struggle to obtain a proper parking permit at his workplace or a woodpecker that wakes him up early in the morning. Dinklage is not the only comedic talent in the film; Shirley MacLaine shines with her blend of harshness and playfulness towards Phil. Matt Dillon, who plays Dell, also adds to the humour. Although Dell’s character feels typical and familiar, the same can be said for Danny Pudi’s role. Nonetheless, both actors contribute significantly to the film’s comedic elements.
The film’s narrative gets underway quickly. When Phil finally achieves his dream, it soon becomes evident that his life is about to take a hilariously dark turn, and I was excited to see where that would lead. Soon, Phil is not only mentally frustrated but is also physically beaten and bruised by his choices. However, what stands out is his unwavering determination to pursue his desires even when things get worse.
While the main plot outline is enjoyable, the film is weighed down by several subplots that feel unnecessary and lack depth and purpose. This includes Phil’s ladies’ man persona, which often leads to one-night stands that only bring more problems to deal with, or his struggles with clauses that could jeopardise his home, both of which feel like a waste of time. Regarding substance, I enjoyed the interactions between Phil and Astrid; however, their relationship lacks development, making it feel less believable and relatable. Many other relationships in the film also come across as incomplete, with gaps in their development. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for laughs, this film delivers.
Overall, you’ve come to the right film if you’re looking for a few good laughs. The primary cast is excellent, especially when they exchange witty banter. This includes standout performances from both Peter Dinklage and Shirley MacLaine. The storyline kicks off quickly, showcasing a man’s life that initially seems promising but soon spirals into a difficult situation that worsens. It’s a fun concept and premise, and I enjoyed this film. However, its pacing suffers due to unnecessary subplots, and it’s disappointing that some on-screen relationships feel unconvincing due to missing elements. Despite these issues, it remains an entertaining film, and I can’t help but think it could have been even more remarkable with a few additional scenes and edits to cut down on unnecessary details.
American Dreamer (2022) is Available in Australia on DVD & Digital from January 15th!
FILM SCORE: 5.7/10
Published: 14th January 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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