Film Review – American Dreamer

Screenwriter Theodore Melfi (director of “Hidden Figures,” “The Starling,” and “St. Vincent”) examines the emotional and financial misery of a man trying to rebuild his life in “American Dreamer.” It’s not a critique of housing market woes, but something of a character study with a little dark comedy blended into the endeavor. Shot three years ago, “American Dreamer” took its time to reach screens, and after the first act passes, release hesitancy begins to makes sense. Director Paul Dektor doesn’t settle on any one mood for the feature, which doesn’t have much of a presence when it comes to humor, and it doesn’t really know what to do with dramatic entanglements. There are capable performances to help enjoy the journey, with star Peter Dinklage personally laboring to keep the movie alive, but the material grows clouded as Melfi tries to make a proper screen mess with relationships and legal affairs. The picture ends up a misfire, though one with a few inspired moments to savor. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com