Submerging its abundant charms under the veil of the unconventional life led by Phil (Peter Dinklage) gives American Dreamer multiple points of view that never land squarely on one. First-time feature-film director Paul Dektor shows a masterful touch with nuance and it’s this skill that defines the film.
Phil, a down-on-his-luck professor of economics, lives his life well lubricated by drink and charged by dreams of a better life—a life that remains elusively just out of reach. He might be astute or just shy of a full deck, and Dinklage is so charming in the role that you don’t really care which description is an accurate fit.
When he becomes aware of an opportunity that might actually be real, he empties his retirement fund, sells almost all his belongings and buys into it in full. This opportunity brings him into the orbit of Astrid (Shirley MacLaine). MacLaine is wonderful as the eccentric old lady who lives in a large mansion that forms part of the deal.
By the film’s end, every character in the film will be redefined time and time again and its comments on wealth, family privilege and the university system will be rewritten over and over as well. It’s this ebb and flow and ever-changing perspective that shows American Dreamer to be an unexpected and wonderful work not to be missed.
American Dreamer is available now on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google TV and YouTube!
Rob Hudson
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