American Dreamer

I discovered this film about a year after it came out. Fun, lighthearted rom-com. I think the title may have kept it from being a bigger hit as it does not give a clue as to what the film is. Jobeth Williams was fresh off "Poltergeist" and "The Big Chill" and is pretty in a natural way. Tom Conti is so funny. Pay attention and watch all the way to the end.

Make a big bowl of popcorn and snuggle up with your sweetie and enjoy it.

The clothes are TO DIE FOR!!

I missed this movie when it first came out, but was lucky enough to have it recommended by a friend.

Everyone has a "down in the dumps" movie--when the boss is a jerk, the spouse is worse and the kids make you wish you had opted for a tank full of tropical fish instead of procreation, you pop in "your" movie and the world balances out. "American Dreamer"--which proves you *can be creative, you *can be inventive, and even being a little crazy is nice, too--will forever be my pick-me-up movie.

Definitely worth renting. (Come on, guys, when do we get a DVD version?!) Spring for the real butter on the popcorn for this one. Trust me, you'll be smiling at the end.

It's nice to see that virtually everyone who reviewed American Dreamer loved it and that so many consider it to be a favorite. I couldn't agree more with the other reviews and immediately bought a copy after my first viewing.

I won't go into details of the plot, which I hate to do anyway, but will comment on one criticism appearing in another review. Sure, the outcome is predictable -- BUT the way the the movie gets there is NOT. After all, every plot has been done to death. It is the originality of the story line that raises this movie to a higher level. Not only is it highly original and smartly scripted, it is also charming, romantic, funny, beautifully directed, photographed, and acted -- an all-round perfect movie.

And as I am always eager to point out, this movie is hilarious -- with hilarious performances and episodes -- without having to resort to gratuitous sex, foul language, and nudity. It simply could not be better (and the beautiful Paris locations only enhance the overall perfection of the film). I say this not to project myself as a prude (which I probably am to some degree) because I also loved Pulp Fiction, but to make the point that movies don't have to be gross, juvenile, and smutty to be funny.

I agree with Larbo - this is one great film! It took a few minutes to figure out exactly what was going on. Once I did, though, I laughed so hard I cried.

Who said writers are loners? LOL

I first saw this movie on cable and was completely impressed. How did I miss this movie in the theatre? I LOVE mysteries. And this is one. It is also a comedy, drama and love story with a twist. Or two. The characters are well defined and grow. With the slight exception of Giancarlo Giannini, who is a intentionally one dimensional but beautiful to look at, just the same.

The heroine gets trapped in a mystery lover's dream scenario. She enters a contest to write a chapter for a book about her favorite detective and wins! Then bravely take the trip she wins alone because her husband thinks little of her effort or talent and does his best to stifle her joy. She feels a little guilty but tries to have a good time. She is definitely on the "if this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium" tour. While being rushed through the sites of Paris, she is robbed and hit by a car. Resulting in amnesia. When she wakes up she has become her favorite character. In Paris. On a shopping spree. Involved in an unsuspected plot to save the world.

It is fabulous to watch all the other people who are caught up in her dilemma because she really is lost but convincing they try to help but keep getting pulled in deeper. Then her husband is told she is missing. The plot thickens. There really are double agents, drug dealers, a chase scene (running), underground passages, ghost writers. No one is what or who they seem to be. And just when you think everything has been concluded, she gets kidnapped. That was the best moment. The director could have ended the movie exactly there and I would have felt complete. But wait, there's more. The game was still afoot!!

This movie was great!! It is everything you want from a movie. Starting with entertainment. Not predictable. Some real thinking and smart people doing everything right. But once the ball started rolling, it had to finish. Best of all, every one in the family could watch it. It was smart and clean. At this point I have seen it so many times since the 80's I can sing the theme song.