American Dreamz (2006, USA) C-107m. *** D: Paul Weitz. Starring Hugh Grant, Dennis Quaid, Mandy Moore, Willem Dafoe, Chris Klein, Jennifer Coolidge, Sam Golzari, Marcia Gay Harden, Seth Meyers, John Cho, Bernard White, Lawrence Pressman, Chao Li Chi, Carmen Electra, Judy Greer. Amusing satire of American values follows two contestants to a talent competition hosted by Grant (the highest rated show on TV), one of them bumbling Arab terrorist Golzari, who is supposed to explode himself and the confused President (Quaid) at the finale. A bit obvious and not always credible, but stars (especially Grant and Quaid) make up for it. Another solid piece of entertainment, written and produced by director Weitz (AMERICAN PIE, ABOUT A BOY).


© Ron Altman