Potato Dreams of America

Released Jan 14, 2022

1h 35m

Comedy

LGBTQ+

Biography

List

91%

45 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Wes Hurley's autobiographical dark comedy about a gay boy growing up in the collapsing USSR, his courageous mail-order bride mother and their adventurous escape to America. Full of unexpected twists, the film is an immigrant's take on the American Dream and the power of cinema, proving that life is often stranger than fiction.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Aug 29

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent Potato Dreams of America on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

Although it's undermined by uneven execution and a subpar script, Potato Dreams of America puts a singular spin on the crowded coming-of-age genre.

Read Critics Reviews

Soren Andersen

Seattle Times

Two very strong performances anchor “Potato Dreams of America,” Seattle-based filmmaker Wes Hurley’s thought-provoking dramatization of his childhood in his native Russia and, later, as a teen in Seattle.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 9, 2022

Full Review

Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

It’s entertaining, and even sexy at times in ways that are distinctive and inventive.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 9, 2022

Full Review

Gary Goldstein

Los Angeles Times

The film, sweet as it is, fails to strike a manageable or engaging enough tone as it treads some overly familiar territory...

Jan 13, 2022

Full Review

Alessandra Rangel

InSession Film

Potato Dreams of America is a sweet and endearing story about a boy and his mother that go through a total transformation to get the life they always wanted.

Rated: B+

Mar 14, 2023

Full Review

Michael A. Smith

MediaMikes

Hurley’s script is quite funny, especially in the first act, where Potato and Lena do their best to tolerate those who are intolerable among them.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 10, 2022

Full Review

Gregg Shapiro

Bay Area Reporter

Hurley harvests his storytelling skills, resulting in a bumper crop of emotions, with laughter and tears in equal measure.

Rated: B+

Sep 21, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Angelo G

Wild coming of age movie. Jonathan Bennett as Jesus is hysterical my

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/24

Full Review

Ty N

It's important to remember that the story is autobiographical. While the writing and presentation feel crude, the film has a lot of heart and humor. The leads' performances are solid and engaging.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

Paul S

What a nice surprise. Quality filmmaking. very good script. Interesting, compelling story. the tone was unique and wonderfully consistent throughout. Nearly a Wes Anderson look to it - nicely framed colorful scenes. (I did connect to this story better than Wes Anderson movies- they are not the same just some similarities). This guy is a good filmmaker. Great decisions made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/31/23

Full Review

Peter C

I pretty much loved this movie. It's a bit rough in the execution, but at its core it's a wonderful story. It's not horse-snort funny but it's way funny enough. I presume it's fairly true, so I don't think it can be criticized for implausibility. Both Young Potato, and American Potato are good actors, but American Potato (Tyler Bocock) really has something about him. I hope he makes more features.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/03/23

Full Review

Cristina G

I am no critic, and signed up to write this concise review: I loved it. No, I adored it! It is genius! Unique. Magnificent story. Extraordinary directorial and editorial skills. If Wes Hurley's mum is like that: she is an angel fallen from the sky. Truly. I am blown away by the acting, too. Maybe not so concise in the end, but I am in disbelief at how great this movie is. Jesus Christ! Beautiful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

dave d

Stylized, but clunky, there are moments, but wow is this a mixed bag. For me, this is a gimmicky film with a Russian and American element used for humor in that 80s Yakov Smirnoff. It is at times amusing, but like Smirnoff, it would be best in a super small dose and not a feature film. Wes Hurley's life is pretty batshit crazy, but the film isn't. Final Score: 6/10

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Wes Hurley

Director

Lea DeLaria

Tamara

Dan Lauria

John

Jonathan Bennett

Jesus Christ

Marya Sea Kaminski

American Lena

Sera Barbieri

Young Lena

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

88%

71%

Mascarpone

TRAILER

for Mascarpone

97%

77%

Shiva Baby

TRAILER

for Shiva Baby

67%

%

Down Low

74%

18%

Adam

71%

50%

My Big Gay Italian Wedding

TRAILER

for My Big Gay Italian Wedding

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Wes Hurley's autobiographical dark comedy about a gay boy growing up in the collapsing USSR, his courageous mail-order bride mother and their adventurous escape to America. Full of unexpected twists, the film is an immigrant's take on the American Dream and the power of cinema, proving that life is often stranger than fiction.

Director: Wes Hurley
Producer: Eliza Flug, Sarah Crowe, Mel Eslyn
Screenwriter: Wes Hurley
Distributor: Dark Star Pictures
Production Co: Doco Digital
Genre: Comedy, LGBTQ+, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 14, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 22, 2022
Runtime: 1h 35m

Most Popular at Home Now