Approval ratings for President Bush are less than stellar, and many people are weighing in on the matter. One example of this commentary is Paul Weitz’s “American Dreamz,” a biting satire that attempts to reflect today’s society at an alarmingly close angle. Martin Tweed, played by Hugh Grant, is a shady producer getting ready for a new season of “American Dreamz,” an “American Idol” parody and the most popular show on TV. Dennis Quaid plays the president, whose assistant, played by Willem Dafoe, secures a spot for him as a guest judge on the finale of the show in an attempt to boost his popularity. However, he has to deal with Sally Kendoo, played by Mandy Moore, a contestant who’ll do anything to win, and Omer, a fellow contestant and undercover terrorist.

Jill Blackledge: Whether audience members like “American Dreamz” will depend on their political views. It’s a satire aimed primarily at the Bush administration, with some sharp jabs at America’s popular culture as well. Quaid plays a bumbling president with a Southern accent who has to wear an earpiece in order to deliver smooth speeches, and Dafoe looks very much like Vice President Dick Cheney. On the TV side, Grant plays Tweed with a Simon Cowell-like temperament.

Andrew Schmeisser: The story of “American Dreamz” seems complex but is very simple, as it revolves entirely around the popularity of a TV show that very closely resembles “American Idol.” It follows the lives of four main characters – a pop-star wannabe, the cold and callous host of the show, the terrorist-in-training and opposing “dreamer” and the strangely familiar illiterate president. Obviously, the film culminates with everybody at the finale of the show.

JB: The plot itself deals with what some consider alarming material, particularly since it’s in a satirical fashion. “American Dreamz” features Omer, a wannabe singer who’s really a terrorist sent on a mission to blow up the president in the TV finale. Considering contemporary society, it may be in bad taste to joke about terrorism. “American Dreamz” also questions the “truthfulness” of reality TV by highlighting Tweed’s dishonest practices to bring both Kendoo and Omer through to the final round.

AS: This film is a step down for Dennis Quaid because he’s known for more dramatic roles. However, he’s succumbed to making light-hearted comedies that require little or no thought. With regard to this film, he should stick to what he’s good at and continue making dramatic movies. Unfortunately, the most dynamic character in this film was Grant’s Tweed, whom I was watching to see change and was left with nothing. He played the Simon Cowell role with only one particular level in mind. However, one can play a jerk only so many ways. I expected nothing special from Mandy Moore’s performance and I wasn’t disappointed.

JB:The acting is funny, but only if it’s considered in the light that these characters aren’t meant to be rounded. They’re cardboard cutouts of stereotypes. Quaid and Dafoe highlight the stereotypes of the Bush administration that people poke fun at, and Moore functions as a screaming and hopeful young contestant. The acting is over the top, but its exaggeration is only used to accompany the satire of the rest of the film, which exaggerates stereotypes of America.

AS: You’re right, the film relies too heavily on the stereotypes of modern culture. Ironically, the only character who cared – or had the capacity to care – about anything besides the TV show was the junior terrorist who was on a reluctant mission to kill the president. Although it was meant to be a satire, “American Dreamz” could have been a made-for-TV movie. Clever in some moments, it left me bored in others because of its predictability.

JB: “American Dreamz” is dependent on peoples’ acceptance of its satirical nature. Whether audiences believe the movie goes too far will depend on whether people agree that satire can be partisan and unfair. “American Dreamz” provides a scathing look at a nation in which more people vote for the next pop culture idol than vote for president. It may provide an exaggerated perception of America, but when the mirror is held so close to society, the reflection is bound to be a little skewed.

AS: I will credit the film for raising the question of whether the populace would rather focus on who the next big “dreamer” is instead of what is going on with the nation’s highest elected official. The film also hit on the more sensitive issue of terrorism, which was a bold move.

JB: The film is funny like a sitcom, but in a nervous way. I say nervous because it’s so vicious in its satire that it will make some uncomfortable to think about its truthfulness. “American Dreamz” is dark, frank and risky, but it is almost too dependent on contemporary events to be brilliant satire, especially when it touches on the risky topic of terrorism. However, it functions exactly as a satire should. In a country of reality TV idols and political unease, people will respond, positively or negatively, to its savage comedy.

AS: Filled with a rather negative commentary on the populace and the president, “American Dreamz” left me disappointed and bored. Even with all the material that its television inspiration had, the makers of “American Dreamz” seemed to be scrambling for good references to spoof. If the makers of “American Dreamz” were planning to make the next big political blockbuster, they should dream on.