Movies About The American Dream

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier
Rated R

Fight Club follows the life of an unnamed narrator (Edward Norton) who is dissatisfied with his white-collar job. He forms a "fight club" with soap salesman Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and becomes engulfed in a chaotic world of male machismo. The two create a radical underground organization called "Project Mayhem," dedicated to overthrowing consumer culture, and wage an increasingly extreme war against conformity and materialism. Throughout the film, the narrator struggles with his growing feelings of alienation, confusion, and anger. As his mental state deteriorates, he struggles to maintain his grasp on reality, while Tyler becomes more and more controlling and unhinged. Ultimately, these characters clash in a violent and cathartic climax, which forces the narrator to confront his own identity and values.

From Sam Mendes, starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley
Rated R

American Beauty is a poignant drama directed by Sam Mendes that follows Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) as he navigates his mid-life crisis. After being fired from his job, Lester decides to take control of his life and make a few changes. He quits his job, has an affair with a much younger woman, and begins to reconnect with his daughter. Meanwhile, his daughter Jane (Thora Birch) begins a relationship with a troubled classmate, Ricky (Wes Bentley), who harbors a dark secret. Through it all, Lester finds beauty in the world around him, and ultimately discovers the importance of living life to the fullest.

From Peter Weir, starring Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich
Rated PG

The Truman Show is a 1998 American science fiction comedy-drama film directed by Peter Weir and written by Andrew Niccol. The movie stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, a man who has unknowingly been the star of a reality television program since the day of his birth. The film follows Truman's realization that his whole life is being broadcast to the world, as he struggles to escape the artificial reality of his hometown, Seahaven Island, and reunite with the woman he loves. Along the way, Truman is aided by a series of strangers who turn out to be his unwitting co-stars. The film was a critical and commercial success and was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Ed Harris. The film's visual effects were also praised, with the opening sequence being cited as one of the most memorable in cinematic history.

From Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden
Rated R

"Into the Wild" is a 2007 film directed by Sean Penn based on the 1996 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer. It tells the story of Christopher McCandless, a young man from a well-to-do family who gave up all of his possessions to travel across the United States. Along the way, he meets various people and has various experiences that eventually lead him to his ultimate goal of living a solitary life in the Alaskan wilderness. Despite his best efforts, however, McCandless finds himself in increasingly dire circumstances and eventually succumbs to the harsh conditions of the environment. The film follows his journey, interweaving his past with the present and exploring his motivations for leaving the world he knew behind.

From Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne
Rated R

Donnie Darko is an unconventional coming-of-age story about a troubled high school student, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal), living in a suburban town in the 1980s. After being plagued by sleepwalking and dark visions, Donnie discovers that a giant, sinister bunny rabbit is telling him to commit increasingly destructive and dangerous acts. With the help of his therapist and an eccentric new girlfriend, Donnie begins to unravel the mystery behind his visions and confront his own personal demons. As the story progresses, Donnie discovers the truth behind his visions and his own destiny, and must confront the reality of his own mortality.

From Mike Nichols, starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross, William Daniels
Rated PG

The Graduate is a classic coming-of-age tale set in the 1960s, directed by Mike Nichols and starring Dustin Hoffman. The plot follows Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate, who is stuck in an existential crisis. In an effort to figure out what to do with his life, Benjamin is taken under the wing of an older friend of his parents, Mr. Robinson. Over time, Benjamin falls in love with Elaine Robinson, Mr. Robinson's daughter, and begins an affair with her. As the affair continues, Benjamin is forced to confront his personal issues and make a difficult decision between the two women in his life. Ultimately, the story is a powerful exploration of desire, ambition, and the pain of growing up.

From David Lynch, starring Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern
Rated R

Blue Velvet is a psychological crime thriller directed by David Lynch, starring Kyle MacLachlan and Isabella Rossellini. Set in the small town of Lumberton, North Carolina, the film follows a college student, Jeffrey Beaumont (MacLachlan), who discovers a mysterious severed ear while taking a walk in a vacant lot. His curiosity leads him to uncover a dark underworld involving a beautiful, dangerous woman, Dorothy Vallens (Rossellini), and the sadistic Frank Booth (Denis Hopper). As the investigation unfolds, Jeffrey finds himself in the middle of a web of love, deceit, and violence as he attempts to unravel the mystery of the ear. As the story progresses, Jeffrey discovers a horrific darkness lurking beneath the polished veneer of the town, and he must confront the darkness in order to save the town and its inhabitants.

From Robert Redford, starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton
Rated R

"Ordinary People" is a 1980 American drama film directed by Robert Redford, which tells the story of a suburban family trying to cope with the death of one of their sons, while also struggling to deal with their surviving son's attempt at suicide. The movie follows the family — Calvin and Beth Jarrett and their teenage son, Conrad — as they navigate their way through grief and pain, ultimately coming to a greater understanding of each other and themselves. The film stars Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, and Timothy Hutton, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the movie. Through them, the movie portrays the struggles of a family as they work to gain a newfound understanding of each other, and ultimately heal from a tragedy.

From Todd Field, starring Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley
Rated R

Little Children is a 2006 drama film directed by Todd Field and adapted from the novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta. The film tells the story of a group of adults living in a suburban neighborhood who become involved in an affair. Through the complexities of their relationships, the film explores themes of adultery, loneliness, and parenthood. The main characters include Sarah Pierce, a stay-at-home mother who is struggling to find meaning in her life; Brad Adamson, an estranged father who is trying to reconnect with his family; and Ronnie McGorvey, an ex-convict trying to find his place in society. As the film progresses, the characters' lives become increasingly intertwined, leading to a shocking climax. Despite its serious themes and heavy subject matter, Little Children is an ultimately uplifting and thought-provoking story about the power of redemption, hope, and second chances.

From Gary Ross, starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy
Rated PG-13

Pleasantville is a 1998 fantasy comedy-drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Gary Ross. It stars Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H. Macy, Joan Allen, and Jeff Daniels. The film follows two 1990s teenagers, David and Jennifer, who are magically transported into the 1990s television sitcom Pleasantville, which is set in a 1950s-style idyllic American town. As they adjust to their new roles as teenage residents, David and Jennifer make unexpected discoveries about themselves, their families, and the town itself. While the town initially appears perfect and irresistible, the two discover that Pleasantville has been concealing a darker, more complex side. As the teenagers gradually introduce modern ideas and behaviors into the town, a conflict arises between the people of Pleasantville and the outside world that threatens to tear the town apart.

From Sam Mendes, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Christopher Fitzgerald, Jonathan Roumie
Rated R

From Derek Cianfrance, starring Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, John Doman, Faith Wladyka
Rated R

From Sofia Coppola, starring Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, James Woods, Kathleen Turner
Rated R

From Derick Martini, starring Rory Culkin, Alec Baldwin, Jill Hennessy, Emma Roberts
Rated R

From Terrence Malick, starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Tim Johnson, Karey Kirkpatrick, starring Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes
Rated PG

From Derrick Borte, starring Demi Moore, David Duchovny, Amber Heard, Benjamin Hollingsworth
Rated R

From John G. Avildsen, starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Kathryn Walker, Cathy Moriarty
Rated R

From Frank Oz, starring Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, Matthew Broderick, Glenn Close
Rated PG-13