DIRECTED BY: Paul Dektor
WRITTEN BY: Theodore Melfi
STORY BY: Theodore Melfi and Chris Wehner
STARRING: Peter Dinklage, Shirley MacLaine, Kim Quinn, Danny Pudi, Michelle Mylett, with Danny Glover and Matt Dillon
PRODUCED BY: Theodore Melfi, Kim Quinn, Peter Dinklage, David Ginsberg, Toyo Shimano, and Paul Dektor
EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY:
Kevin Root
RUN TIME:
98 Minutes
RATING:
Not Rated
SYNOPSIS:
American Dreamer, based on a true story from Chicago Public Radio’s The American Life, is the story of Phil Loder (Dinklage), a twice divorced, frustrated, underpaid professor of economics, whose grand dream of home ownership is tragically out of reach. When an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes his way, Phil strikes a deal with Astrid Finnelli (MacLaine), a lonely, childless, near-death widow who offers her sprawling estate for pennies. But Phil quickly learns the deal is too good to be true and the American dream is not quite what it used to be. The film also stars Matt Dillon, Danny Glover, Daniel Pudi, and Michelle Mylett.
WRITTEN BY: Theodore Melfi
STORY BY: Theodore Melfi and Chris Wehner
STARRING: Peter Dinklage, Shirley MacLaine, Kim Quinn, Danny Pudi, Michelle Mylett, with Danny Glover and Matt Dillon
PRODUCED BY: Theodore Melfi, Kim Quinn, Peter Dinklage, David Ginsberg, Toyo Shimano, and Paul Dektor
EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY:
Kevin Root
RUN TIME:
98 Minutes
RATING:
Not Rated
SYNOPSIS:
American Dreamer, based on a true story from Chicago Public Radio’s The American Life, is the story of Phil Loder (Dinklage), a twice divorced, frustrated, underpaid professor of economics, whose grand dream of home ownership is tragically out of reach. When an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes his way, Phil strikes a deal with Astrid Finnelli (MacLaine), a lonely, childless, near-death widow who offers her sprawling estate for pennies. But Phil quickly learns the deal is too good to be true and the American dream is not quite what it used to be. The film also stars Matt Dillon, Danny Glover, Daniel Pudi, and Michelle Mylett.
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC]
00:02 I just want a house.
00:03 I want a place I can call home, Nick.
00:05 [MUSIC]
00:07 That's the American dream.
00:09 Four walls, a patch of grass, a place to write my novel.
00:13 [MUSIC]
00:17 What are you doing here?
00:18 [MUSIC]
00:20 Get yourself a starter condo, like reasonable people do who have no money.
00:25 [MUSIC]
00:33 240,000 with live-in, what does that mean?
00:38 The house is immaculate, it's worth every penny of the asking price.
00:42 Her husband passed away years ago, they never had any children.
00:45 I live there until she croaks, and I get the whole house.
00:48 It's almost too good to be true.
00:50 [MUSIC]
01:00 You want me to help you make the hot water colder?
01:03 You must be Astrid.
01:04 Did you hurt yourself?
01:05 I fell.
01:06 [MUSIC]
01:09 Did you break anything?
01:10 Because if you break anything, you pay for it.
01:12 [MUSIC]
01:14 Well, it was nice to meet you.
01:15 [MUSIC]
01:17 She has offspring.
01:18 This is one of my kids.
01:20 I have a contested will in my future.
01:22 I'm gonna sue you.
01:23 And everyone involved with you.
01:25 You exhaust me.
01:26 [MUSIC]
01:29 You are an angel, Phil.
01:31 I wanna feel your light.
01:32 [MUSIC]
01:35 I'll evict you before the week's out.
01:37 [MUSIC]
01:45 I've been having a series of very bad days.
01:48 [MUSIC]
01:50 What if she lives another 20 years?
01:52 Do you wish death upon her?
01:54 Not tomorrow.
01:55 [MUSIC]
01:58 You saved my life.
01:59 No, no, no.
02:00 Every time I see the light, I see your face.
02:03 Just because I'm standing over you backlit.
02:05 [MUSIC]
02:07 What kind of moron buys a house under such circumstances?
02:11 [CRYING]
02:12 Are you crying?
02:13 I'm sorry.
02:14 Sorry.
02:15 [MUSIC PLAYING]