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Though Weitz clearly sets his sights on the decline of American politics throughout American Dreamz (reminding us repeatedly that more people vote for the next singing star than they do for the next Commander-in-Chief), the satire is surprisingly toothless. As a Canadian, I find it difficult to predict how offensive some viewers may find the political humor, but it strikes me as rather benign. The real President of the United States is capable of delivering hilarious one-liners (intentional or otherwise) any day of the week; Staton's comedic dialogue is, frankly, inferior. And though the trailer for the movie may lead viewers to expect a skewering of the presidential figure, Quaid's president is undeniably dumb but also, ultimately, one of the most noble and decent characters in the film.

Conniving steel magnolia Sally (Mandy Moore) makes a grand appearance as a contestant, while Tweed looks on

American Dreamz's parody of America's cultural fixation with celebrity has a little more bite. But even here Weitz is faced with a struggle—a phenomenon like American Idol (and reality TV in general) has already become so extreme and self-parodying that there is little left to exaggerate. The best moments in the singing contest come from the interplay between Omer and his wanna-be-star-turned-manager cousin Iqbal (Tony Yalda). Yalda is a hysterical bundle of aspiration, insecurity and truly catastrophic dance moves, all of which he generously passes on to his cousin.

What is unusual about a film like American Dreamz is how likable its principle characters are, even the ones most central to the satire. Whether he means to or not, Weitz gives us enough insight into the wounded psyches of each of his players to make us care about them. He aims to cut and skewer, and he does a bit of that, in a broad, easy-target sort of way. But ultimately his ability to explore and expose human nature trumps his sarcastic agenda. In a way, this film talks out of both sides of its mouth—lampooning and loving its targets at the same time. But most viewers, I suspect, won't mind. It's fun to root for someone and laugh at him or her at the same time. (How else do you explain William Hung?) Maybe it's even a part of the American Dream.

1. What are the roles of sarcasm and satire in the intelligent discussion of current events? Is there a certain amount of respect due our leaders, or are all public figures "fair game"?
   
   
2. American Dreamz parodies the tendency for North Americans to get more interested in a show like American Idol than in other, more important issues. Is there an element of pop culture that is out of balance in your life? Is there an important area being neglected?
   
   
3. Sally gives viewers some clues about what fuels her drive for celebrity when she talks about her obesity as a child. Do you think our culture's obsession with fame is rooted in a desire for acceptance? What are some productive ways to satisfy that desire?
   
   

There is one sexual situation in American Dreamz that is strongly implied but not seen. There is enough foul language to earn the film's PG-13 rating. Some younger teens may confuse sarcastic and ironic treatments of race relations with racism - dialogue is recommended!

Photos © Copyright Universal Pictures

© Carolyn Arends 2006, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

Writer/director Paul Weitz follows up his popular corporate comedy In Good Company and the warm-hearted bachelor antics of About a Boy with something far more ambitious—American Dreamz, a satire about presidents, first ladies, American Idol, and pop culture. And while he's not winning as many rave reviews as he did for his earlier projects, he is getting mixed reactions from the religious press.

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