American Dreams

This look back at the America of 1963 breathtakingly captures the dying roars of an old culture and the triumphant cries of the new one. It may be the closest thing to time travel we'll ever experience. [29 Sep 2002, p.M8]

The new series' production values are impeccable, its cast is solid, and there are occasional moments of fresh, specific detail that suggest the show could transcend the overstuffed pilot episode. [27 Sep 2002]

At least the ambitious pilot makes it clear that the show has a vitality and passion sadly lacking in a lot of other fall offerings.

American Dreams is a complex, poignant look at a family finding its way as the '60s rock their world. All that, and the best soundtrack on TV.

With its strong female performances — Snow and O’Grady are superbly nuanced — ”Dreams” maintains a nurturing warmth that appeals to young viewers as well as the boomers I mentioned earlier.

Bottom Line: Good beat, weak drama.

An icky exercise in nostalgia, this series is set in Philadelphia in the early 1960's and is about the evolving problems and joys of a big Catholic family.