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Some people are realists—the ones who always consider every angle before making a decision. Others are dreamers—the ones who spend their days imagining what could be. And in American Dreamer, a notorious dreamer’s life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a way to make his wildest dream come true.
American Dreamer stars Peter Dinklage as Phil Loder, an economics professor who doesn’t seem to listen to his own lectures. Phil sees himself living in a grand estate and writing the Great American Novel—though he has more of a one-bedroom apartment kind of budget. When he sees a classified ad offering a $5 million home for just $240,000, as long as he agrees to live in the home’s upstairs apartment until the homeowner’s death, he finds himself living with Astrid (Shirley MacLaine), a lovable old lady who might just live forever.
For years, Phil has put a lot of time and effort into imagining what his life should be. He imagines his grand, palatial home, where his beautiful wife tends the garden (with help from her identical twin sister) while he sits in his luxurious office, writing his next bestselling novel. So when this too-good-to-be-true opportunity arises, he’ll do anything to make it work—even if it means working on his novel in an old apartment while he waits patiently for Astrid to die. But, of course, not everything goes according to plan for this ornery dreamer—and his story soon spirals into chaos.
Admittedly, Phil isn’t really a likable guy—and, really, he deserves the chaos that he gets. He’s not the typical flighty, head-in-the-clouds kind of dreamer. He’s the kind of guy who’s overconfident and arrogant—a little too sure of his own brilliance and boundless potential. But, somehow, Peter Dinklage makes an otherwise unlikable character strangely entertaining. And Shirley MacLaine only adds to the entertainment as his adorably sarcastic elderly housemate, who’s determined to keep living life to the fullest while she can.
Phil’s story is often messy and chaotic—and he seems to be surrounded by characters who are shady or just a little bit clueless. But that’s just a part of what makes this unbelievable but kinda-true story an entertaining choice for some easy-going Friday night viewing.
With its questionable characters and unlikely story, American Dreamer could have been a frustrating film. But the lovable stars and their characters’ connection give it an unexpected charm.
You can move in with Phil and Astrid when American Dreamer arrives in select theaters and on demand on March 8, 2024.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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