American Dreamz

American Dreamz (2006) is a political satire directed by Paul Weitz — watch online on iFILM. Hugh Grant, Dennis Quaid, Mandy Moore, Willem Dafoe and Chris Klein star in a comedy that skewered the American Idol era, the Iraq War years, and the White House all at once.

Martin Tweed, the ruthless host of the country's top singing competition, is lining up another season. The contestants include a Midwestern girl desperate for fame and a would-be terrorist named Omar, planted in the show by his cell with very different goals in mind. Meanwhile, the U.S. President — who has spent weeks in a news blackout and lost touch with reality — agrees to guest-judge the finale as a ratings stunt, guided by a handler who resembles no one in particular.

Weitz treats the talent show and the Oval Office as two versions of the same machine: both run on manufactured emotion, both reward performance over substance. Grant playing a man with zero redeeming qualities turns out to be genuinely funny. The film takes swings at everyone and lands most of them. Stream American Dreamz (2006) online on iFILM.