Product Details

• Actors: Joshua Jackson, Leonor Varela, Timm Sharp, Ruthanna Hopper, Dennis Hopper
• Directors: Kevin Noland
• Writers: Kevin Noland
• Producers: Kevin Noland, Alvaro Ron, Clark McCutchen, Daniela De Carlo, Gustavo Ron
• Format: Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Mti Home Video
• DVD Release Date: April 18, 2006
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000EHQ7HY
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,135 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Americano" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

AMERICANO is set against the backdrop of Spain's centuries-old Fiesta de San Fermín, better known as The Running of the Bulls at Pamplona. Chris McKinley (Joshua Jackson), a recent college graduate backpacking through Europe, savors his last three days of freedom before boarding the career fast track back in the States. In Pamplona for The Running of the Bulls with his best friend, Ryan (Timm Sharp), and Ryan's girlfriend Michelle (Ruthanna Hopper), Chris meets a quintessential Spanish beauty Adela (Leonor Varela) and an enigmatic provocateur Riccardo (Dennis Hopper), both of whom encourage him to rethink his life. As the minutes and seconds until his departure tick away, Chris struggles with an age-old question - should he follow the beaten path, or risk it all on the road less traveled?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Crossroads: Enter the Corporate World Versus Enter the World of Living, May 30, 2006

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Americano (DVD)

Kevin Noland makes a fine debut in both writing and directing this colorful, insightful, low-key exploration of the age old Apollonian Dionysian conflict. For a first film, despite some minor technical glitches (overexposed photography at key moments, a soundtrack that eats the dialogue before it is audible), Noland proves himself a keen observer of life, of philosophy, and of character studies. He is definitely an artist to watch.

Chris McKinley (Joshua Jackson in yet another fine performance) has just finished college and is ending his summer holiday in Spain with only three days before he returns to an important corporate position in the US. He is traveling with two friends, Ryan (Timm Sharp) and Michelle (Ruthanna Hopper) who are lovers, and they end their holiday in Pamplona, Spain just as the festival of the bulls is happening. Chris' backpack is stolen and with it his passport, credit cards, all semblances of civilization..., and he plunges out of despair into the wildness of the running of the bulls. He meets two important influences: American expatriate bar owner Riccardo who spouts forth 'live for the moment' concepts, and the beautiful and intoxicating Adela (Leonor Varela) who embodies all that is fascinating about the beauty of Spain. The four young people set out on a hike to fly fish, carouse, and live with nature, and this excursion into Spain's gorgeous countryside affects the foursome: Ryan and Michelle decide to part ways and Chris and Adela...well, the story has a fine ending!

Noland respects the viewer and offers his tale of discovery with minimal dialogue, some terrific music, exciting footage of the running of the bulls and bullfights, and some hallucinogenic views of nature. Both Joshua Jackson and Leonor Varela light up the screen. Ruthanna Hopper (Dennis Hopper's daughter) not only acts well, she also has been part of this project since its inception, is one of the producers, and adds a credibility to the story. So despite the occasional technical flaws, this is a little film of joy, a celebration of discovery the important facts of living. Grady Harp, May 06

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must See for Any Traveller..., March 31, 2006

By 

C. Farrell (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Americano (DVD)

Anyone who travels internationally will get it, those who don't travel may miss the internal combustion of excitement this movie brings to the viewer. Director/writer Kevin Noland's first feature depicting the pensiveness of a young graduate on his first trip abroad to Spain truly captures the raw emotion and confusion that come with choosing life's path, or letting life's path choose you.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars genuine ... as close as it gets to experiencing Spain, August 16, 2006

By 

JJ "bruinboy" (Westwood, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Americano (DVD)

I agree with another reviewer - if you've been there you will get it. I was in Spain this summer and went to Pamplona and did El Camino de Santiago. I can see why the lack of an exciting storyline or a twist can disappoint many used to Hollywood cinema. In the words of Adela, "Nothing is as predictable as Hollywood". This movie is genuine, except for the gorgeous woman. The footage is excellent, especially the running of the bulls. I wish they would have shown more of El Camino. But this movie is not meant to close the loop, just show us the questions that arise in all of us.