When done well, satire in cinematic form can do more than light up the big screen. Satire is meant to elicit some sort of response from the audience no matter how ridiculous the spoof may be.

Despite its attempt, "American Dreamz" does not even break the surface compared to some of its predecessors. While Paul Weitz may have been trying to make a political statement, it can be viewed as nothing that the entire American public has not already seen or heard before. Instead, what he has provided is a form of entertainment for most and a production that at best annoys some people.

Although the film fulfilled its laugh-out-loud quota, it failed to do much of anything that the legendary Saturday Night Live has been doing for years with, not surprisingly, many of the same themes represented. Terrorism, the war in Iraq, disagreements over the presidency and reality television are among those items represented. What this film does have to fall back on are some clever 'shock and awe' tactics and some talented actors.

Not only is the cast full of experienced, well-known actors, some of them come into this film already having worked with writer/director Paul Weitz. It may be thanks to Paul Weitz's previous experience with them that the likes of Dennis Quaid and Hugh Grant grace the screen. Weitz, whose big break came from producing "American Pie," has had further successes in writing and directing "About A Boy" and "In Good Company."

This knowledge incites the question of what drew people to "American Dreamz" in the first place. Was it really the story line, or was it the cast? When members of the ensemble include Hugh Grant, Mandy Moore and Chris Klein, the answer is not exactly black and white. After all, who doesn't love seeing Hugh play a self-loving and self-loathing host for "American Dreamz," a reality talent show in search of "America's next Dreamer"? Given Grant's character history, he is ideal for the part of Martin Tweed, the very incorrigible and attractive TV host.

The talent continues as Dennis Quaid gives a noble effort as the president of the United States, providing the audience with a new and never-flattering angle from which to view him. The character, which has been represented in the regular spots on SNL for several years, now is not so harshly characterized. Additionally, while Quaid's accent and demeanor are familiar — and possibly reminiscent of SNL skits — it is the physical appearance of actor Willem Dafoe's Chief of Staff character that bares the uncanny resemblance to a certain vice president.

In the film, after the president's second victory, it is up to Dafoe's character to make sure he does not blow it. So with the first lady's (Marcia Gay Harden, "Bad News Bears") help, he convinces the president to take "happy pills" and wear an earpiece for all public appearances. The granddaddy appearance of them all is for the president to be the guest judge on the final episode of "American Dreamz."

Let's briefly meet some of those contestants he could be judging. There's Mandy Moore's character, Sally Kendoo from Pidookie, Ohio. She's using her soldier boyfriend to gain public support. Then there's recent immigrant Omer (Sam Golzari, "The Break") hailing from his aunt and uncle's in Orange County. They are just two among a diverse group of contestants competing on "American Dreamz."

Although the movie gets off to a slow start by jumping around among the characters' respective stories, once the characters come together, there are enough twists and turns to keep the audience intrigued and laughing. Like in all reality shows, the ending can be unpredictable … and "American Dreamz" is no exception. It is up to America to decide what is to be made of it.

Rating: 4 out of 5