MovieChat Forums > American Dreams (2002) Discussion > Would Hal Ashby have liked American Drea...

Would Hal Ashby have liked American Dreams

posted 9 years ago by stonesman424
2 replies | jump to latest

I just wanted to write a nice message on why I really loved this show and annoyed that NBC just pulled it off the air after a few years. I also want to talk a little about Hal Ashby but I'll get tot hat in a bit.

First off American Dreams was one of the best television shows I had seen in a long time. It was a family wholesome show that you could tell tried very hard to portray people living in those times. It was fifty times better then the wonder years which in my opinion was not that great. The characters went overboard in how they were supposed to be at the time dad always being cranky, mom over sweet, the kids were just plain annoying. The producers went way overboard on the music every two minutes a song had to come on usually a song that would come right in play with a situation sad song with a breakup coming. I hated the narration also I don't need someone telling me what's going on through the story. .American Dreams didn't need any of that. It was good written acted show that tried to portray real people growing up in that time.

The reason I put Hal Ashby in this message was his films had a lot of what American Dreams had. Real everyday characters going through life trying to figure it all out. When I watch one of his films I feel like I'm right there in the movie feeling going though what the characters are going through. He was never as artsy edgy as Scorsese or Kubrick. His films were simple the characters , acting, dialogue got you hooked. In a lot of ways that was like American Dreams real people living real lives. Although with Ashby there was a political jab in some of his work, never got that with American Dreams.

Okay just work with me here. One of my favorite Ashby films is Shampoo true classic. The party scene in that is in my opinion one of the best portrayals of being at a swinging sixties shindig. If you ever want to see or feel how would have been living the counterculture life that party scene did it. When George tells Jackie how he feels about her and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds comes on I really felt the intimacy of that scene it worked so well. Hal had a talent for getting you into his characters interactions. Hell there wasn't even much said during that scene. I love how it goes to Jill and her friend next they were hitting it off just don't see that with today's films. I could picture Meg going to that party hanging out socializing-NBC would have to be careful what they were smoking of course! She meets a cute guy they go for a walk in the moonlight, get closer and Lucy comes in. They are getting pretty close to that kiss. I swear that would work for American Dreams. The scene from American Dreams where the Beatles is played on Bandstand made me feel just like the Shampoo scene: I was right there experiencing them with it-loving the Beatles doesn't hurt either! That scene had Ashbys touch.

Anyway I hope whoever reads this enjoyed it and reply's back. I don't mind criticism as long as it not immature or nasty. I think I made some good points about both the show and Ashbys work. I wonder if old Ash was alive would have he liked American Dreams? He was a hell raiser, maverick, would have been like "needs more cursing, fighting, stabs at the Government" Maybe NBC could have brought some characters from his films to replay there roles on American. Jon Voight doing his antwar speech at Megs high school, Jack Nicholson as Budusky from Last Detail is a old friend of Jacks minus the cursing! We can't forget Meg and her friends going the big party with Sgt Pepper playing. Maybe Jackie is there chaperoning-just keep her away from George. One last thing: NBC why did you take this off the air. Your idiots!

Peace everyone stonesman424

[–] Lamentamini 9 years ago

Like you, I loved this show and was sad when NBC canceled it. I love the music from that era and the show, for me, was a reminder than even during the dark times of war, we have music to help us escape. I loved the friendship between Meg and Sam. I adored Will's inquisitiveness especially after the assassination of JFK. I wish there had been more interaction between JJ and Will (loved his nickname Thrill) and JJ got hurt in Vietnam. Will understood not being able to walk like the other kids.

I'll have to look up Hal Ashby's work sometime.

[–] sartan01 9 years ago

First off American Dreams was one of the best television shows I had seen in a long time. It was a family wholesome show that you could tell tried very hard to portray people living in those times. It was fifty times better then the wonder years which in my opinion was not that great. The characters went overboard in how they were supposed to be at the time dad always being cranky, mom over sweet, the kids were just plain annoying. The producers went way overboard on the music every two minutes a song had to come on usually a song that would come right in play with a situation sad song with a breakup coming. I hated the narration also I don't need someone telling me what's going on through the story. .American Dreams didn't need any of that. It was good written acted show that tried to portray real people growing up in that time.

I agree with this. I never really liked "The Wonder Years," and the narration was unnecessary as you said. I think people gave it more of a chance because it was back when people still liked family dramas and sitcoms. When "American Dreams" came out, people preferred reality TV more.

I don't get the people who dog the show without giving it a chance. I've heard people say the show was *beep* and the only good thing about it is how Brittany's gorgeous on the "Mad Men" board, or people who dog Will for not being famous enough. Just take the show for what it's worth.