Review of An American Carol (2008) by Josh X H — 17 Oct 2008

I am a conservative, so evidently my review will be biased. Having said that, I loved this film and laughed out loud many times. Not only that, it was refreshing to see a movie out there that actually took a swing at liberal Hollywood. And not just a "swing" which means a "light poke" when they do it to themselves, but an honest-to-goodness "roast.".

I was pretty much laughing since the beginning, when terrorists gathered together and plotted a way to prevent Iraqi citizens from holding free elections. A stern looking man grabs a befuddled "enlistee" and fits him with a "stylish vest" covered in explosives and gives him a ricketly bike to ride down a hill toward the citizens.

"But this bike is pretty old and flimsy...I don't think it will make it back up the hill...".

"Uh...you don't need to worry about that...".

"But the brakes...they are, uh, squeeky...I don't think they will be enough to stop me.".

The man puts a hand on his comrade and says gravely, "Allah will stop you.".

It is irreverent jokes such as these that pepper the entire movie. There are moments where it creates a chain and I find myself rolling with laughter for minutes at a time. However, there are times where I am scratching my head when a joke falls horrendously flat. Not to mention that Kevin Farley, try as he might, can only make me feel nostalgia for his long-lost brother who would have made me care and love the main character. Kelsey Grammer does a great job as General Patton and the serious scene (with George Washington) is thought provoking...out of place, perhaps? But still, a lesson is presented in that scene and whether the movie-goers agree with it or not is up to them.

In the end, if you are a Republican or a Conservative, this will definitely be a new member to your top ten list. If you are in the middle you will find yourself laughing quite often. If you are a Democrat or a Liberal, I can honestly say that this movie will get your blood boiling with indignation. I cannot stress this enough: if you don't like anything right-wing and can't stand listening to anyone who professes to be right-wing, DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE. It will not be a pleasant outing. Even I said to myself, "Man...this movie rips them kind of hard...".