DVD Review
| American Dreamer Reviewed by:Kage
Alan
Ah, there’s nothing like a classic from the
80’s! Of course, I never thought I’d find myself calling films from
my heyday “classics.” How often have we heard our parents say “they
don’t make em’ like they used to”? Great, now I’m saying it. They
don’t make them like this anymore. Comedies have been replaced with
remakes and the “gross out” category. Lovely…and while I admit to
enjoying some of both, I do like going back and revisiting how
things used to be made. I also know it’s safe to call a film a
“classic” when my partner doesn’t turn his nose up at something that
was made before CGI became king.
It’s too bad mother and wife Cathy Palmer (JoBeth
Williams) never watched “Desperate Housewives,” otherwise she’d have
made her life a little more interesting. As it is, she has her two
young children, a husband who can barely find time for her and
trivializes everything she does, and, of course, her lovely Rebecca
Ryan mystery novels. It’s escapism at its best and when an
opportunity to win a free trip to Paris presents itself, Cathy jumps
at the chance to write a chapter in the style of the famous literary
detective’s author. Much to her delight, she wins! Much to her
husband’s need to keep things focused on his life, he suggests
taking a vacation in a couple year’s time. What? Not go? Say it
isn’t so. Fortunately, before hubby can say “get back in the
kitchen and cook for me,” Cathy is on the plane headed towards the
romance capital of the world.
A quick stop on the way to a lunch honoring her
award ends in poor Cathy being hit by a car. Tragedy soon turns to
comedy when she wakes up with a case of mistaken identity. Cathy no
longer remembers her previous life, but rather believes she IS femme
detective Rebecca Ryan and takes on all associated behaviors
established in the books. In this case, however, Rebecca believes
she was purposely hit by the car and is soon off to uncover the
truth behind the conspiracy to kill her. Along for the ride is the
author’s son, Alan (Tom Conti), who’s mistaken by Rebecca to be her
trusty sidekick, and the author herself (Coral Browne). The
question, though, becomes whether there really is a conspiracy to
uncover or if it’s all in her head? If it’s in her head, why are
people shooting at them then?
“American Dreamer” offers its main character an
opportunity to do what so many of us wish we ourselves could do;
live a fantasy. Cathy is an incredibly likeable character and
Williams plays her with a sensitivity that makes us want her to
succeed just so she doesn’t have to go back to her husband. The
supporting cast is more than up to the task and must have had a
blast right down to the last… What was that? Anyway, there’s no
nudity, very little foul language and a whole lot of comedy. It’s a
terrific balance and the end treats viewers to a conclusion that is
the happiest of occasions.
Paramount has released “American Dreamer” in
its original Widescreen format. I’m really pleased about this
because I’ve only ever seen fairly poor VHS copies until now. Video
quality is a bit on the grainy side, but then it’s to be expected
from a film this old. Audio is acceptable, but not overly dynamic.
It does the trick and since this isn’t a special effects film, I
don’t have any complaints. As for extras, this is where the disc
disappoints. There’s nothing, not even a trailer. Believe me, with
a sleeper film like this, a commentary would have been soooo fetch!
I could just see somebody getting the bright
idea to remake the film in present day. Naturally, we’d need
somebody ultra young, skinny and with breast implants playing the
lead. Oh, and she’d be proficient in firearms since there would be
an excessive amount of gunplay going on. Maybe Jerry Bruckheimer
could direct…which means they’d have to get Nicholas Cage as the
male lead. Geez, does that concept just suck or what? Stick with
the original. “American Dreamer” is just fine all on its own.
Discover this little gem for yourself!
