Frustrated housewife/writer Cathy Palmer ghostwrites a story about Rebecca Ryan, a dashing international spy, and wins a trip to Paris. While there, she is involved in an accident, and ...
See full summary »
Kelvin Harrison Jr. takes inspiration from his real life to help craft one of the most intense dramas of the year in Waves.
Related News
-
Supergirl: Season 4, Episode 19: American Dreamer Plot Synopsis, Director, & Air Date [The CW]
14 April 2019 | Film-Book -
Saban Films Acquires North American Rights to Richard Bates Jr.’s Tone-deaf
01 March 2019 | DailyDead -
Robert Patrick’s Horror-Thriller ‘Tone-Deaf’ Bought by Saban
01 March 2019 | Variety
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: American Dreamer (1984)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
1 win.
See more awards »
Learn more
More Like This
Murphy's Romance
(1985)
Comedy
|
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Martin Ritt
Stars:
Sally Field,
James Garner,
Brian Kerwin
Foul Play
(1978)
Comedy
|
Mystery
|
Thriller
Director:
Colin Higgins
Stars:
Goldie Hawn,
Chevy Chase,
Burgess Meredith
The Electric Horseman
(1979)
Comedy
|
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Sydney Pollack
Stars:
Robert Redford,
Jane Fonda,
Valerie Perrine
Wildcats
(1986)
Comedy
|
Sport
Director:
Michael Ritchie
Stars:
Goldie Hawn,
Swoosie Kurtz,
Robyn Lively
Bronco Billy
(1980)
Action
|
Adventure
|
Comedy
Director:
Clint Eastwood
Stars:
Clint Eastwood,
Sondra Locke,
Geoffrey Lewis
High Road to China
(1983)
Adventure
|
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Brian G. Hutton
Stars:
Tom Selleck,
Bess Armstrong,
Jack Weston
Support Your Local Sheriff!
(1969)
Comedy
|
Romance
|
Western
Director:
Burt Kennedy
Stars:
James Garner,
Joan Hackett,
Walter Brennan
Distant Thunder
(1988)
Drama
Director:
Rick Rosenthal
Stars:
John Lithgow,
Ralph Macchio,
Kerrie Keane
White Nights
(1985)
Drama
|
Music
Director:
Taylor Hackford
Stars:
Mikhail Baryshnikov,
Gregory Hines,
Jerzy Skolimowski
W.A.S.P.: L.O.V.E. Machine
(Video 1984)
Short
|
Music
Director:
Rick Rosenthal
Stars:
W.A.S.P.,
Chris Holmes,
Blackie Lawless
The Big Easy
(1986)
Comedy
|
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Jim McBride
Stars:
Dennis Quaid,
Ellen Barkin,
Ned Beatty
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| JoBeth Williams | ... | Cathy Palmer / Rebecca Ryan | |
| Tom Conti | ... | Alan McMann | |
| Giancarlo Giannini | ... | Victor Marchand | |
| Coral Browne | ... | Margaret McMann | |
| James Staley | ... | Kevin Palmer | |
| Christopher Daniel Barnes | ... | Kevin Palmer Jr. (as C.B. Barnes) | |
| Huckleberry Fox | ... | Karl Palmer | |
 |
Jean Rougerie | ... | Don Carlos |
|
|
Pierre Santini | ... | Inspector Klaus |
|
|
Léon Zitrone | ... | Ivan Stranauvlitch |
|
|
Alain Flick | ... | Train Passenger #1 |
|
|
Yassan Khan | ... | Train Passenger #2 |
|
|
Christian de Tillière | ... | Train Passenger #3 |
|
|
André Valardy | ... | Dimitri |
|
|
Robin Coleman | ... | Golf Buddy #1 |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Frustrated housewife/writer Cathy Palmer ghostwrites a story about Rebecca Ryan, a dashing international spy, and wins a trip to Paris. While there, she is involved in an accident, and awakens in the hospital believing she IS Rebecca Ryan. Much craziness ensues as she meets the writer of the Rebecca Ryan books, thwarts real international spies, and eventually gets her memory back. Written by Suzanne Houghton <tpk@infonaut.com>
Taglines:
TOM CONTI of Reuben Reuben with JO BETH WILLIAMS See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
26 October 1984 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A nagy álmodozó See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$1,580,990, 28 October 1984Gross USA:
$5,021,751Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$5,021,751Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Alan McMann: I'm on a streak.
See more »
Did You Know?
Goofs
When Cathy opens the door and trips on her dry cleaning, she falls facing into the house. When she is shown from inside, she is facing the doorway. See more »Quotes
Cathy Palmer: [Striking an akido pose] Hah! You're lucky you're still alive.Alan McMann: I'm on a streak.
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.Contribute to This Page
On IMDb TV, you can catch Hollywood hits and popular TV series at no cost. Select any poster below to play the movie, totally free!
Explore popular action and adventure titles available to stream with Prime Video.
It's nice to see that virtually everyone who reviewed American Dreamer loved it and that so many consider it to be a favorite. I couldn't agree more with the other reviews and immediately bought a copy after my first viewing.
I won't go into details of the plot, which I hate to do anyway, but will comment on one criticism appearing in another review. Sure, the outcome is predictable -- BUT the way the the movie gets there is NOT. After all, every plot has been done to death. It is the originality of the story line that raises this movie to a higher level. Not only is it highly original and smartly scripted, it is also charming, romantic, funny, beautifully directed, photographed, and acted -- an all-round perfect movie.
And as I am always eager to point out, this movie is hilarious -- with hilarious performances and episodes -- without having to resort to gratuitous sex, foul language, and nudity. It simply could not be better (and the beautiful Paris locations only enhance the overall perfection of the film). I say this not to project myself as a prude (which I probably am to some degree) because I also loved Pulp Fiction, but to make the point that movies don't have to be gross, juvenile, and smutty to be funny.