The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales

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The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales

2022

1h 27m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Abigail Disney looks at America's dysfunctional and unequal economy and asks why the American Dream has worked for the wealthy, yet is a nightmare for people born with less. As a way to imagine a more equitable future, Disney uses her family's story to explore how this systemic injustice took hold.

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Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

09/29/2022

3/4

The filmmakers’ focus-shifting approach to telling this story is smart and effective. But its true power lies in the history lesson it eventually segues to, landing with a gut punch.

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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

09/26/2022

2.5/4

A compelling story about persistent problems that affect the majority of Americans, even though you don't hear about them very often in mainstream media.

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

09/23/2022

This is an unapologetic advocacy doc; and as such it’s likely to rub some viewers the wrong way. But even those who want to watch it just to argue should find that “The American Dream” is a worthy opponent.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Saporta Report (Atlanta)

11/30/2022

She’s certainly not a clueless do-gooder, but she can come close – like those well-meaning Hollywood wives who once organized aerobics classes for the homeless.

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Zebib K.A.

Spectrum Culture

10/06/2022

This documentary feature by Abigail Disney is a broad, down-to-earth journey through American capitalism and the Disney corporation’s income disparities.

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Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

09/28/2022

C+

What I take away from “The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales,” when combined with our current state of unstoppable greed, is that, as I have long known, the dream is dead, long live the dream (‘cause you are not going to get it).

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Jeromy C

09/24/2022

This film is poignant and insightful while also entertaining. I applaud Abby Disney for having the courage to produce and direct The American Dream. Everyone who enjoys movies, works in Hollywood, or participates in capitalism, should see this film.

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01/30/2023

Decent documentary but only scratches the surface in so many ways.

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Garrett B

@gmoney637 11/28/2022

Abigail "Disney" back at it again…….with another hatful documentary. 😠

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Abigail Disney

Director

Kathleen Hughes

Director

Abigail Disney

Producer

Kathleen Hughes

Producer

Aideen Kane

Producer

Tim Disney

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

Abigail Disney looks at America's dysfunctional and unequal economy and asks why the American Dream has worked for the wealthy, yet is a nightmare for people born with less. As a way to imagine a more equitable future, Disney uses her family's story to explore how this systemic injustice took hold.

Director: Abigail Disney, Kathleen Hughes
Producer: Abigail Disney, Kathleen Hughes, Aideen Kane
Distributor: Fork Films
Production Co: Fork Films, Chicago Media Project
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 16, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 23, 2022
Runtime: 1h 27m