MovieChat Forums > American Dreamer (1984) Discussion > Why aren't there more threads on this bo...

Why aren't there more threads on this board? SPOILERS!

posted 16 years ago by dinkledeimer
8 replies | jump to latest

I see a few folks have written who love this movie. I just don't understand why more people don't know about it. It's one of the best things Jobeth has ever done. She herself was and is unappreciated by Hollywood. Has anyone seen the original "Poltergeist" recently???? That woman is a SUPERB actress. She could have been the likes of Streep, Close, and Field if she'd been given a chance. She has an open, vivid, authentic, vulnerable but strong, earthy, sensual, vibrant, intelligent quality. Maybe it was her choice, I don't know, but I think it was a shame that she wasn't recognized more for her talent and uniqueness.

And this movie is a gem! I discovered it by accident on HBO years ago and watch it a couple of times a year with my husband, it's one of our favorites. It's funny, sweet, clever, and poignant. SPOILER ALERT*******I love the scene where Alan and Cathy are reunited at the end, cue the "happy ending" music, and POW, they are abducted in the street. What a set up--now that's great film making. That scene where she decides to end her marriage in the airport is so well done...the realization that it's truly over, that she can't make it work anymore, is a brilliant portrayal of pathos and courage.

I guess those of us who love this movie are a small but lucky few! :o)

Take care y'all!

"De gustibus non disputandum est."
(Latin) There is no disputing taste.

[–] schuyler_harmon 15 years ago

One of my favorite movies....saw it over and over again in the early days of HBO. Absolutely had the biggest crush on Tom Conti as a teenager...I know, kind of strange, but he was just so darned cute in that role. JoBeth Williams was hilarious as Kathy Palmer...and who doesn't love Giancarlo Gianni (sp)? Just saw him last night in Quantam of Solace and it made me think of American Dreamer.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] LadyCatherine 15 years ago

A friend recommended this movie--I don't think I ever repaid her appropriately. This is one of my all-time favorite movies. I have two lousy VHS copies, still have my Beta copy and have to grab a DVD.

I have shown the movie to several friends, and they don't seem to get it. I dunno... There are still scenes that, after all these years, still make me laugh out loud. Loudly.

Gray hair only means you're getting older...which sure beats the alternative!

[–] jmbwithcats 14 years ago

My sister and I fell in love with this movie back in the '80s. It's just such a silly fun movie. Right up there with Jumpin' Jack Flash, they're very similar I think.

Totally underrated movies!

www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=6751188
www.originalfool.us

[–] Willow123 13 years ago

I can't remember the first time I saw this, I assume it was back in the 80's. But I have always had a soft spot for this movie. I always thought JoBeth Williams and Tom Conti had the best chemistry. It's such a cute movie. They don't make them like this anymore.

"I eat danger for breakfast" Willow, BtVS

[–] michaelward15 11 years ago

I saw this movie in the theater when I was 11. I remember at the time thinking it was a Romancing the Stone rip-off though I see now it came out less than half a year after that movie. I think it probably suffered by comparison. If I saw it as a poor mans Romancing the Stone as an 11 year old boy, I'm sure many adults had a similar opinion.

[–] poetryqn 9 years ago

This has been a favorite since we first caught it on VHS from a Blockbuster date night ages ago. The plot, the acting, the European locations and most of all, the laughter have made this an all time feel good movie for my husband and me. We got a DVD copy and it never fails, even if we know the lines by heart.

I'm surprised, as well, that there aren't more threads on this. For us it's one of the feel good fantasy movies in the vein of the original Secret Life of Walter Mitty. What If you could live the live of a female James Bond in glorious Paris? Who wouldn't trade a suburban life for International Intrigue, designer clothes, French Chateaus, and sexual chemistry? We love it as a wonderful escapist romantic comedy. I wish more people knew about it.

[–] louiseculmer 8 years ago

well, I thought it was very funny when I first saw it, but time has altered my perspective on it a bit. a married woman with children leaves her husband for a man she has known a very short time, the children are transplanted to Paris and are apparently perfectly happy with that. It completely avoids the reality of how most children feel about their parents divorce. i myself would have preferred it had there been no children, and that she had not been married. In retrospect, it makes it all rather sordid.