Customer Reviews

American Movie

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4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have a confession: I rented this on video as soon as it came out back in 1999 & I hated it. In fact, my friend & I turned it off in the middle of the film. Actually, I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but the real reason is b/c we didn't know we were watching an actual documentary... Looking back on it, I feel like one of those stupid people who went to see The Blair Witch project, threw up, & thought it was real. So I eventually watched this again in one of my film classes. Yes, by then I knew it was real, but I had never felt like giving it that 2nd chance.

Well, upon that second viewing, I quickly came to the realization that this film is amazing!! I can't believe how stupid I was to give up on it before!

As far as documentaries go, American Movie is near-flawless. It's got humor, sympathy, inspiration, old guys eating Polish sausage, you name it- it's there. No really, we laugh at the "characters," but there's actually a really inspiring & uplifting message to it all. It follows the life of one major film buff from Milwaukee who sets out to make a feature film (Northwestern) but becomes sidetracked with funding problems, so he decides to finish up a short horror film (Coven) to sell for profits. The trials & tribulations of Coven's production make up American Movie.

As for the DVD, it's excellent. There are deleted scenes galore, many of which are GREAT! And they're not just throw-away junk scenes, which is always a plus. There are commentary tracks & trailers, but best of all, the mother of all extras is... COVEN. Yes, the 22-minute short film is included in its entirety. I can die happy now.

I saw my friend recently & told her that I not only watched American Movie again (which we vowed never to do), but that I loved it! She then told me how she was "forced" to watch it again for one of her film classes & that she loved it too!! So there's hope for all us imbeciles yet.

Do yourself a huge favor & see this movie if you haven't already done so. And if you watched half of it before & hated it, please give it a second try. Once you loved it, come back & purchase this DVD like me!

As I watched Mark Borchardt stumble through the filming of 'Coven', I kept thinking of the Austrian court composer Solieri's line in Milos Forman's Amadeus: "All I ever wanted was to sing to God", laments Solieri, "He gave me that longing, and then made me mute".

What do you do with your life when you want to sing, but you are tone deaf? What if you spend far more time dreaming than making your dreams come true? That is the subject of this surprisingly touching and moving documentary.

Mark Borchardt is not mute. His muse has whispered in his ear since he was 12 years old, telling him to make movies. Problems with drinking and a stint in the Army have kept him from his love. As the documentary opens, Mark is doing pre-production for a feature-length movie, 'Northwestern'. As you watch Mark meet with production staff and potential actors, you quickly realize that he is hopelessly over his head. Mark is given to long, rambling monologues, where you feel he is trying to throw a net of words over his problems.

Eventually Mark sees the handwriting on the wall. He realizes that he cannot start this movie, and decides instead to complete a short film he started several years earlier, 'Coven'. (Mark pronounces it KO-ven, rather than KUH-ven).

As the documentary progresses, you are brought into the well intentioned but dysfunctional world of Mark's friends and family. You find yourself wondering about the line between loyalty and co-dependency. What is the difference between supporting a dream and enabling a friend to live in a fantasy world? You see the inhabitants of Mark's world struggle with these questions. Through it all, Mark may stumble, but he holds true to quest of completing Coven.

If Mark is quixotic, then his good friend Mike Shank is definitely his Pancho. Mike has been sober for a couple of years, but you can tell he was dinged up a bit in the drug wars. He is so totally without guile, and so completely loyal to Mark, as to be utterly disarming.

It is tempting to smirk at these people at the beginning of the film, much less easy to do so by the end. Whatever you think of Mark as a filmmaker, you are moved by his struggle to see his vision completed.

Chris Smith could have created a patronizing look at an Auteur with less talent than himself, but he has accomplished much more than that. This story makes you wonder about the dreams of people who are not famous, or glamorous, but still listen to their muse. The touching conclusion of this movie is that there is real nobility in their quixotic quest.

This is one of those movies that you see only one copy of at the video store, and it's usually always available. You'll find that sometimes these are the best movies out there, and "American Movie" proves to be one such diamond in the rough. Mark Borchardt and his dream of becoming a huge filmmaker are the subject of this riotous documentary that follows him on his journey to complete the low-budget horror film "Coven". Along the way, filmmakers Smith and Price shed light on almost everything we could possibly know about Mark and his friends. Most of the time, you'll find yourselves laughing at the characters (the heart-of-gold former drug addict Mike and the eccentric, penny-pinching uncle come to mind) rather than with them. Nonetheless, you ARE laughing at this slice of life shot in smalltown Wisconsin. You may question Mark's goals and priorities and you may question his logic (trying to make it big by filming low-budget horror flicks? ), but in the end you'll realize he's just a man with a dream who will let nothing get in his way. After that's the American dream and this is truly an American movie. Any aspiring filmmaker should see this as well as anyone with a sense of humor.

I've seen lots of Amazon reviews here that mention a feeling of guilt about this film as though the stars weren't throroughly aware of the fact that they are being filmed. Smith and Price weren't exactly sneaking around their subjects with hidden cameras and subterfuge, right? Right. I'm sure whatever humliation the documentary heaped on Mark was (1) no worse than anything he'd already experienced in life from nay-sayers (like his own mother for crying out loud!) and (2) not so bad, considering the end of the film which, in my mind, is one of the most triumphant moments in recent cinema (or cinnamon, if you're asking Uncle Bill).

After watching this movie, take a moment and think about your own life. If you could go after your dream with Mark's white-hot intensity, wouldn't you? I would. We all should. The guy's a hero. If you've ever tried to get something 'artsy-fartsy' done in your lifetime. If you've ever thrown away everything else in the pursuit of your one lofty goal in life then you'll love Mark. If you've been gliding through life on someone else's tab or your life revolves around your house, your car and your lawnmower, you'll probably think Mark is a 'loser' without having looked in the mirror lately.

Good luck with 'Northwestern' Mark!

American Movie

Reviewed by Bruce Cantwell (a-movie-to-see.com)

Mark Borchardt wants to be a filmmaker, to tell the story of what it means to grow up a poor working (or unemployed) stiff on the Northwest side of Milwaukee. He speaks passionately about hanging out with his friends who drink too much, trying to deaden the nagging thoughts of a bleak future. His film Northwestern will show this bleakness to reveal a glimpse of the human goodness that shines through even the toughest circumstances.

But to make his masterpiece, he first needs to sell 3000 copies of a direct-to-video black & white horror movie short entitled Coven. And before he can finish making Coven he has to pry $3000 out of his crotchety, cynical, trailer-living Uncle Bill who's tighter than his Poli Grip seal.

Chris Smith's documentary about "the making of" a low budget schlock horror movie is the kind of screwball comedy that Hollywood wishes it could make. Steve Martin tried earlier this summer: Bowfinger (which wasn't bad), just nowhere near as good.

Mark Borchardt, a cheesehead scarecrow with a look right out of the early seventies isn't your typical leading man, but he's a hell of a lot more interesting than a Brad Pitt or Keanu Reeves.

Smith captures the dynamics of Mark's complex relationship with Coven's 82-year old executive producer Uncle Bill.

Coven's score composer, Mike Schank, Mark's former drinking buddy (now sober) explains his involvement in this convoluted enterprise. He likes Mark and because Mark makes movies, he ends up making movies too. Mike's first love is the Wisconsin lottery.

Other friends, family and cast members find themselves putting up with Mark's insane, unfocused ambition not because they have any thought of personal gain but because they know it means the world to him.

His brothers admit that he has a gift for gab if nothing else. His actors add that he's persistent (Coven takes three years to complete, Northwestern has been in pre-production since the '80s). No one but Mark thinks that he'll be a success.

Smith records the film making mishaps with a sense of timing out of This is Spinal Tap but anyone whose been involved with coordinating the logistics of even a class project video will vouch for their veracity.

Strictly speaking, American Movie is a tragedy because its protagonist doesn't (and probably never will) make the movie of his dreams. On the other hand, his film about the underlying humanity of Northwest Milwaukee's set-upon residents has already been made. This is it: all the friendship and love and support a man could ask for are demonstrated in this film. On that score, Mark's a lucky man.

If you like this, try:

The Big Picture Christopher Guest's (This is Spinal Tap) hilarious take on the Independent film scene.

Living in Oblivion Steve Buscemi (Fargo) plays a Borchardt-esque director.

20 Dates another "documentary" about an ambitious film maker.

I just saw this film last night at Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. "Americn Movie" is wonderful, hilarious and touching at the same time, and it's all true. It centers around Mark, his stoned-out friend Mike, and Mark's friends and family who buy into his dream of making a movie. In the first few minutes of the film I thought Mark was a real loser. He admits he drinks too much, parties too much, he has a broken marriage with three kids he sees once in a while, and he doesn't get along with his ex wife. He lives at home pretty much freeloading off of his mom. Even Mark's own brother says he thinks Mark is best suited for factory work. It's true Mark is not polished at all, nor are any of the people who help him finish his film. But Mark believes so hard in his dream that by the end of the film you are really pulling for him to finish his first film, "Coven," so he can get to work on his masterpiece, "Northwestern." It doesn't really matter if he's a great film maker or not. What matters is that this guy has a dream and his desire to fulfill that dream is so strong that he sort of wills all his friends and family to help him in the endeavor. Roger Ebert suggested this film could be called "American Family" and I think he's right, because this film shows Mark's relationships with all the people who help him make the film, from his Swedish mother who doubts Mark will be successful but helps him shoot scenes of the movie anyway, to his tightfisted old Uncle Bill who lives in a trailer park and reluctantly lends Mark enough money to become an "executive producer" on the film, to Mark's best friend Mike Schank who is a true-to-life combination of the guys from "Spinal Tap" and Sean Penn's character from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." No Hollywood screen writer could ever come up with better characters than the ones in this movie. The film is hilarious, especially scenes where Mark is filming his Uncle Bill to say a certain line in the film, and another where Mark is supposed to ram an actor's head through a board for a scene in "Coven" and let's just say it takes more than one take to get it right. But, like all good films, this one speaks to us on another level, showing the complexity and love in the relationships between Mark and his family. The film also speaks poignantly to all of us who have ever had a dream. Last night at the festival after the film was shown Mark came on stage and he received a standing ovation from the crowd. After you see this film, you will feel like giving Mark a standing ovation too.

This is my all-time favorite movie! My father told me I had to watch it, and when I finally saw it with him, I was blown away! I kept asking him, "Is this real? No, really...is it?"

The gist of it is this: Mark Borchardt is an aspiring horror filmmaker that spends a little too much time drinking and dreaming. He even admits it in one of the best lines of the movie, "...to not just drink and dream, but to create and complete."

Mark is a dreamer, a big one, but that's what makes him so endearing. He never gives up on his goals, even when he's flat broke and working crappy jobs. He gets his friends to help him - people that are, for the most part, far from professional actors and filmmakers - and continues on. He wants - no *needs* - to make it.

One of the greatest things about this movie is its purity. Mark wants to make it for all the right reasons (he truly *loves* horror movies). He's honest, determined, and an all-around good guy. There is little about him that is pretentious or shallow. He's making art for the right reasons, even if it doesn't come out as good as it could.

The movie is also hilarious! There are a TON of great lines in it: Mike Shank saying he used to get "really pissed off inside" when he couldn't find someone to drink vodka with, Uncle Bill screaming, "It's all right, its okay! There's something to live for - Jesus told me soooo!", Mark's kid saying, "Don't bother me, you...you...you FOX!"...

I've must have quoted this movie hundreds of times, and watched it just as much! I mean it - I went through a period where I would watch this movie everyday! My friends and I even left a message on Mike Shank's answering machine!

Lastly, it is directed beautifully: the shots of Mark driving...the junkyard...Mark closing-up the cemetery... And the use of Mike Shank's music is perfect!

Great, great, GREAT movie!

There are few movies today that are worth seeking out. American Movie is one of them. With a completely true story (very loosely describal as "Ed Wood" meets "This is Spinal Tap" meets "Crumb"), filmmakers Chris Smith and Sarah Price have captured and perfectly presented a slice in the lives of some truly memorable characters. By the end of the film, the audience is not only enormously satisfied and entertained, but feels as though they truly have met new friends. The audience I saw this with went wild, particularly during Mike Shank's (you could not write a funnier or more endearing character) screaming scene. Those who want to enter filmmaking for a living should be required to view this, as it shows Mark Bochardt persisting through pitfall after pitfall to finally complete his horror opus "COVEN" (I would buy the DVD just to see this short film). We can only hope that his dream project "Northwestern" will one day see the light of day. "American Movie" has drawn comparisons to "Roger & Me", though I find the former far funnier, as Chris Smith wisely allows his subjects to do all the talking (whereas Michael Moore's film relies on his narration, while quite amusing, for much of the laughs). Indeed, we only hear Smith perhaps a half dozen times through the film, as Bochardt is never at a loss for words. It's not very surprising that "American Movie" was not even nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar, neither were the best "fiction" films of the year (in my opinion), "Being John Malkovich" and "The Straight Story". It's just further evidence in the case that the Oscar doesn't mean jack. "American Movie" is all ready a classic, however, and will continue to have a special place in film history. It's a shame that this film didn't get the kind of wide release that Adam Sandler movies get, because I truly believe that once word spread audiences would flock to see it. Anyway, I have planned well in advance to purchase the DVD, as it is a film to be cherished by all those who love movies.

This movie is one of my favorite. It's great for two reasons. First, Chris Smith and company have done another excellent job of capturing something uniquely American. The scenes document how Mark Borchardt and friends, although fraught with every obstacle imaginable, still manage to achieve their goal. The movie is well made and develops the character of Mark, Mike and the others at exactly the right pace to keep you interested.

But the best thing about the movie is definitely the content. You can't make up anything this funny. From a bothced violent scene where an actor's head is pummelled over and over to a drunken Thanksgiving party at Mark's uncle Bill's to picking up their friend and fellow movie producer, Ken, at the local jail - everything in this movie is just extraordinary. At some parts, I laughed so hard I almost when into cardiac arrest. At others, I was tremendously touched, especially by the amount of loyalty that these friends had despite their eccentricities and character flaws.

Seeing this definitely inspired me to buy "Coven" and I'll probably buy anything else that Borchardt produces, just to see what his out-of-control creativity has come up with next. Of course, his next movie might not be ready for another 6 years....

American Movie is a film like no other you have seen or will ever see again. A colorful, insightful and enormously entertaining documentary about an independent filmmaker from any town U.S.A and his dreams to make the great American Movie.

Mark Borchardt is a fast talking, hard working, (and hard drinking) everyman, who also happens to know something few of us know. He knows how to keep trying, how to find a way to keep believing and he knows how to be very, very entertaining - even if he's not trying to be. He's the kind of guy you talk to over the fence in your backyard, the guy who never seems to run out of interesting things to say, or interesting ways to say them. You can't help but feel a strong affection for him, and you want him to succeed at all costs. You hurt when he hurts because he struggles like we all struggle - against societal conventions. Despite the fact that so little seems to be going right in his life, he seems to be more content and driven than all the "Rat-Racers" he rebels against...and for that I envy him greatly.

Mark's colorful cast of friends (who have been there since childhood), are very loving and supportive, the kind of friends one hopes will never vanish. They seem to know the filmmakers very soul like a book they've read a thousand times. Mike Shank - the guitar virtuoso, lottery addicted but recently sober buddy assists Mark during every single production ..... and he's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Uncle Bill, the filmmakers elderly bankroll man is lovable and tragic. He draws strength from the energy and passion he absorbs watching Mark struggle with his various film projects. Like myself, I get the impression that Uncle Bill envies Mark as well, not because he's younger and healthier, but because he still believes that there is something great around every corner.

This film will make you re-evaluate what's important in your life, make you wish you didn't lay that passion down so many years ago. It's inspiring, it's refreshing and most importantly it's real. I can't recommend this film enough, and it bears many, many repeat viewings.