Stay up to date on the latest Tribeca news and special offers with our newsletter. Sign up now.
American Dreamer

Spotlight Narrative

World Premiere

FEATURE | United States | 106 MINUTES | English |

AMERICAN DREAMER

Comedy

“What do we need to be happy? What do we want? And ultimately - how far are we willing to go, to get it?” Economics professor Phillip Loder (Peter Dinklage) poses these questions to his grad students as he himself ponders these thoughts. Phil is a twice-divorced, frustrated, underpaid professor, as well as an aspiring novelist, clamoring for bigger, better things in his life. His schmoozy real estate agent friend Dell (Matt Dillon) isn’t helping much, to secure a good deal on owning a home, so Phil takes matters into his own hands. He finds a posting in the classifieds for a mansion which is“$5 million as is - or $240,000 with live-in,” and, using Dell as his agent, negotiates with the owner of the mansion - ailing widow Astrid Finnelli (Shirley MacLaine) - to live in the side apartment of the house, until Astrid passes away. Once Astrid dies, the mansion belongs to Phil. However, Phil soon realizes that his seemingly fast-acting plan won’t be as easy as he thought; especially when he finds out that Astrid has an adult daughter who’s suspicious of his intentions.

By anchoring the narrative on Phil and Astrid’s battle of wills, director Paul Dektor and writer Theodore Melfi effectively showcase Dinklage’s and MacLaine’s effortless charm as well as their winning performances. The end result is American Dreamer; a sharp, affable comedy carefully attuned to its characters.--Jose Rodriguez


CAST & CREDITS

Directed by Paul Dektor

Paul Dektor was born in Cape Town, South Africa and raised in Los Angeles. He studied acting at Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, where he first picked up a camera filming short films with fellow actors, followed by directing TV commercials. American Dreamer is his feature directorial debut. 

Director
Paul Dektor
Producers
Toyo Shimano, Emily Shimano, Theodore Melfi, Kimberly Quinn, Peter Dinklage, David Ginsberg, Paul Dektor
Screenwriter
Theodore Melfi
Cinematographer
Nicolas Bolduc
Editor
Lisa Robison
Composer
Jeff Russo
Executive Producer
Kevin Root
Associate Producers
Trisha Wilson, Dylan Collingwood
Cast
Peter Dinklage, Shirley MacLaine, Matt Dillon, Danny Glover, Kimberly Quinn, Danny Pudi, Michelle Mylett

CONTACTS

US Sales Contact
John McGrath
United Talent Agency
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: 925 413 5942
McGrathJ@unitedtalent.com
International Sales Contact
John McGrath
United Talent Agency
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: 925 413 5942
McGrathJ@unitedtalent.com
Press Contact
Adrianna Valentin
Falco Ink
New York, New York 10040
Phone: 9148157169
adriannavalentin@falcoink.com
Print Source
Dawn Knight
RS Films
Vancouver, V6G2Z3
Phone: 604.817.5060
dawn@rsfilms.ca