Paul Dektor Talks ‘American Dreamer’ And Working With Shirley MacLaine

Peter Dinklage and Shirley MacLaine deliver memorable performances in director Paul Dektor’s debut feature American Dreamer. The story centers on Phil (Dinklage), a frustrated economics professor who strikes a seemingly amazing deal with Astrid (MacLaine), the owner of a beautiful estate. Phil invests his money, thinking he has fulfilled a huge dream, but there may be a huge hitch in his plans! Dektor talked to Deepeest Dream about the movie which co-stars Danny Glover, Matt Dillon, Michelle Mylett, and Kim Quinn.

American Dreamer, based on a true story featured on Chicago Public Radio’s This American Life, is a comedy that possesses a subtle resonance. Although Phil Loder (Peter Dinklage) initially comes off as a self-serving human bent on owning Astrid’s home, his ultimate end game shifts thanks to his predictable evolution. That said, director Paul Dektor infuses the narrative with an even eye. Don’t expect any miracles in this surprisingly feel good movie; rather Phil’s ultimate growth is grounded in reality.

“It’s got a lot of complexity to it as a story,” said Dektor. “He’s not the nicest guy in the world. There are a lot of extremes to this story . . . it was a very concerted effort not to have it be a Hollywood ending. (Screenwriter Theodore Melfi’s) idea was like in real life when we change – we change incrementally. What we gave him was the possibility for change.”

With over 30 years in the filmmaking business, Dektor knows a thing or two about being an effective and professional director. Dektor is also a cinephile, and he cited Being There and The Apartment as two of his favorite Shirley MacLaine films. I asked if he ever got starstruck during produciton.

“Firstly, one of my favorite movies of all time for me is Being There,” said Dektor. “It’s just one of my favorite movies. I’ve seen that movie a hundred times. Of course I did have this “Oh my God (feeling).” But meeting with her – it’s very disarming. She’s a real person. She’s an icon. She’s bigger than life. But she’s so disarming that it all goes away. So pre-shooting I met with her (and) we spent hours and many days together. And by the time we got to shoot it was like shooting with anyone else.”

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