strange but rather wonderful

Yes. It's spelled with a z. As in: laterz. When American Dreamz comes out in a theater near you, go see it. (Bobby and I caught it at an advanced screening hosted by the Yale Film Society.) It's hilarious--a twist on American Idol, a mockery of Bush's presidency, and a whimsical parody of terrorism. I don't think there was any moment in the movie where I wasn't laughing, making a shocked "Ohhhhhhh my God" expression, or pointing at the absolutely absurd dance moves of the terrorist-turned-contestant Omar. (We first meet Omar as a failing jihadist at terrorist training camp where his one clandestine consolation is listening to the records of Broadway show tunes in his tent.)

Of course, it'd be less depressing (and considerably less funny) if the film didn't mirror certain parts of our often ugly situation. The portrayals of an incompetent president are particularly bitter, especially to a Democratic audience. And I'm not sure if it's true, but it wouldn't surprise me more people do vote for programs like American Idol than for our most important public official. The upside is that now at least we get a good laugh out of the craziness of it all. The film balances such unbridled criticism, though, with some really out-there but heartfelt characters---like Omar--that just smash through cultural prototypes, make us laugh until our sides hurt, and even manage to ask some important questions. (i.e. "Should Americans be held accountable for America?") Mandy Moore is a miserable and manipulative psychopath who will stop at nothing to win--but she also questions her motives for entering the competition and finds someone who truly understands her along the way. Even the terrorists are crying at the finale of the show. One line from Hugh Grant sums it all up--both the film itself and the world we live in: "That was...strange. But...rather wonderful."

Indeed. Because sometimes all you can do is watch, laugh, and move on.