Movie review - "American Dreamz" (2006) ***

Paul Weitz makes another claim to being the closest thing we have today to a Billy Wilder with this satire on the American Idol phenomenon. It is an easy target, and so too is having a dopey American president, but there are enough smarts and bright moments to push this over the line. Hugh Grant is a memorably caddish host, and the guy who plays the show tune loving terrorist is really good. (Ditto the guy who plays his gay Arab cousin.) Mandy Moore is on good form in an easy role - Mandy Moore has got pretty good taste in scripts, especially compared to Britney and the others.