American Dreamer

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2:17

American Dreamer

Released Mar 8, 2024

1h 46m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

50%

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32 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

American Dreamer, based on a true story from Chicago Public Radio's This American Life, is the story of Phil Loder (Peter Dinklage), a twice-divorced, frustrated, underpaid professor of economics, whose grand dream of home ownership is tragically out of reach. When an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes his way, Phil strikes a deal with Astrid Finnelli (Shirley MacLaine), a lonely, childless, near-death widow who offers her sprawling estate for pennies. But Phil quickly learns the deal is too good to be true and the American dream is not quite what it used to be.

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Tomris Laffly

Variety

Paul Dektor's directorial debut aims to tell an old-school intergenerational love and friendship tale, but is saddled by unfunny running gags and distracting subplots.

May 20, 2024

Full Review

Carla Renata

RogerEbert.com

"Peter Dinklage is a perfect thespian match for the legendary Shirley MacLaine when it comes to curmudgeon-laced dialogue, while simultaneously giving these characters so much heart and grit"

Rated: 3/4

Mar 8, 2024

Full Review

Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

There’s a buried gem of a story here. But it’s encrusted in a Dinklage performance in which he once again overplays the crabbiness of his post-Game of Thrones leading men.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 8, 2024

Full Review

Abe Friedtanzer

The Film Experience

Paul Dektor’s directorial debut is still a perfectly decent way to spend 106 minutes, but it’s not as funny or satisfying as it could be.

Rated: B-

Jul 23, 2024

Full Review

Connor Lightbody

Loud and Clear Reviews

Dinklage plays the curdled failure of a protagonist well, and his presence in the film means it has at least some personality, but he’s unable to save the film from a script that is unsubtle and dull

Rated: 2/5

Jul 4, 2024

Full Review

Sumner Forbes

Film Threat

There may be a catharsis for many in watching a movie so attuned to the acute issue of affordable housing in much of North America.

Rated: 6/10

May 8, 2024

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Evander

I found it to be both funny and wholesome.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/15/24

Full Review

liz

Nice story, but characters are one dimensional and films pace is slow to the point of boredom. Shirley McLaine is a treasure but is somehow constrained Peter Dinklage plays his usual angry, drinks too much intellectual-type. Based on a This American Life story, I wanted to love it but left feeling blah.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

Genxer

Great writing, great acting! A must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

john b

Maclaine plays her eccentric charactor, And she drives Dinklage crazy. Only I couldn't figure out why she was enough to drive him away. Lost opportunity here. Mildly entertaining.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Logan D

Professor and struggling writer Phil Loder (Peter Dinklage) finds the deal of a lifetime. Live with an elderly person (Shirely MacLaine) and gain their estate when the pass. Of course it's not as good as it sounds. It's a joy to see Dinklage and MacLaine bounce lines off each other. The humor is droll and the story would be absurd except it's based on a true story. I did find the slapstick out of place but thankfully spare. If you enjoy curmudgeons, this film is for you.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Enjoyable movie. I especially enjoyed Peter’s character metamorphous of despair and how he triumph's at the end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

Full Review

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Paul Dektor

Director

Peter Dinklage

Dr. Phil Loder

Shirley MacLaine

Astrid Fanelli

Matt Dillon

Actor

Danny Glover

Actor

Kimberly Quinn

Actor

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American Dreamer: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

American Dreamer, based on a true story from Chicago Public Radio's This American Life, is the story of Phil Loder (Peter Dinklage), a twice-divorced, frustrated, underpaid professor of economics, whose grand dream of home ownership is tragically out of reach. When an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes his way, Phil strikes a deal with Astrid Finnelli (Shirley MacLaine), a lonely, childless, near-death widow who offers her sprawling estate for pennies. But Phil quickly learns the deal is too good to be true and the American dream is not quite what it used to be.

Director: Paul Dektor
Producer: Toyo Shimano, Emily Shimano, Theodore Melfi, Kimberly Quinn, Peter Dinklage, David Ginsberg, Paul Dektor
Screenwriter: Theodore Melfi
Distributor: Vertical
Production Co: Dektor Film, Goldenlight Films, Estuary Films
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 8, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 8, 2024
Runtime: 1h 46m

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