Starring the always engaging Peter Dinklage with an impressive supporting cast, which includes Danny Glover and Community star Danny Pudi, American Dreamer appears to be an intriguing offering for film fans. Based on a true story from the radio show This American Life, the film tells the tale of a low-level economics professor, Dr. Phil Loder (Dinklage), who seeks the “American dream” of owning his own home. The dream, however, appears to be a long shot until he gets an opportunity to buy a lonely widow's (Shirley MacLaine) estate for pennies – before soon realising the deal is not quite what he expected. From the concept to the cast, director Paul Dektor's film is brimming with potential but seems to struggle to reach it over its 1 hour 30+ runtime.

American Dreamer opens with an entertaining sequence that nicely establishes Loder's unfulfilling life as a professor while setting up additional side stories with his Graduate Student (Michelle Mylett) and institution superior, Craig (Pudi). We see Loder go from teaching, trying to avoid reading Craig's paper before pulling up to a lavish home with a beautiful woman awaiting his arrival – only to realise Loder is simply staring at the house from his car, daydreaming about owning it. Not long after, the audience discovers he lives in a subpar flat. In addition to establishing the world of American Dreamer, it introduces the subtle use of comedy that is consistently at play throughout the narrative. Unfortunately for Dinklage and co, Dektor's directorial debut peaks here.

Once the story is in full effect and Loder purchases the home, only to be made aware he must live with the lonely widow, Astrid, it becomes a film of moments instead of a consistent narrative. Underdeveloped characters and backstories, such as the introduction of Maggie (Kimberly Quinn) and her sudden love-hate relationship with Loder – feel shoehorned into the film with little room for audiences to invest emotionally. This is not aided by the fact that Dinklage's character is not particularly likable or given room to showcase the actor's charisma. Although he treats a cat kindly early in the film, there is not much to root for, further highlighting why the story only works in small moments.

Described as a black comedy/drama, Dektor's film also struggles to establish a balance tonally, as comedy overtakes the story in moments where the drama feels necessary, such as when Loder is at risk of losing the house he has just put everything in to. Maggie threatens him with legality, but with our central character's circumstances being played down by the dominant use of comedy, the stakes do not feel high, and as an audience, it does not feel like our protagonist is in significant danger. If anything, the tone undermines Loder's struggle, leaving us more confused than concerned.

American Dreamer does pick up as it nears the climax. Loder's emotional conflict between trying to turn a corner and battling the ramifications of his past allows audiences to sympathise with his character, creating a connection to the narrative. In addition, Danny Glover's Private Investigator consistently provides a spark with genuine funny moments, which are enhanced by Glover's classic “unimpressed” reactions (see Lethal Weapon for more). Sadly, this isn't enough to save this film. Overall, this Peter Dinklage starrer coasts along to the finish line. Time will pass fairly quickly during the viewing experience, but American Dreamer is a largely forgettable affair.