American Dreamer

Released Mar 8

1 hr. 46 min.

Comedy

Drama

TRAILER

for American Dreamer: Trailer 1

List

50%

30 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

Shawn W

Excellent movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/24/24

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Trisha W

Sometimes the obtaining the Dream is only the beginning. American Dreamer is a darkly funny account of one man's obsession of being a home owner. American Dreamer is a beautiful peek into the humanity that binds us, even if it is buried deep in some of the most unlikeable characters (Phil). Shirley MacLaine (Astrid) is still captivating on the screen. She brings out the best in Peter (Phil) and the supporting cast.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/23/24

Full Review

Miles W

Very well written and tied together with a talented cast.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/23/24

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

2:17

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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

Rex Reed

Observer

Directed by Paul Dektor from a disarmingly offbeat screenplay by Theodore Melfi, 'American Dreamer' is fresh, original, unpredictable, and unexpectedly funny.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 8, 2024

Full Review

Ben Gibbons

Screen Rant

American Dreamer reveals the truth behind the American dream, as Peter Dinklage's character gets everything he ever wanted and a lot more he didn't.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 3, 2024

Full Review

James Wegg

JWR

Such a waste of talent

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 28, 2024

Full Review

Jackie K. Cooper

jackiekcooper.com

It is great to see MacLaine on screen any time but this movie is less than she deserves.

Rated: 5/10

Mar 24, 2024

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Kevin Root
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

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