Review of American Movie (1999) by Joey B — 24 May 2010

One of the best films about filmmaking I've seen- a film that is made so unconventionally, it adds to the effectiveness of Mark's attitude towards his seemingly desperate situation. I think any aspiring artist can relate to Mark Borchardt. It's also a sad film, not just about the aforementioned details, but it's about a guy with unlimited drive and determination to make a movie, and about as much talent, money and ambition as Ed Wood. And he won't let anything get in his way of making and completing movies.

The extremity of Mark's situation is brilliantly done. Every shot of the people Mark is around- these people are like zombies: completely deprived of life, meaning of existence and ambition. Mark cannot stand to see these people live the life they live, and he can't understand it, either. It drives him crazy and almost up to the point where he questions his own existence. The dead atmosphere director Chris Smith creates is surprisingly effective, as I began to feel sympathy for Mark, and his level of awareness of his life leads to his near-emotional destruction. But he is also at fault.

This is a surprisingly effective and excellent film about working class America- very original, poignant, depressing (in a good way) and uncompromising. For anyone who is a struggling artist.