American Movie (1999) (Movie Review)

  When it comes to my overall love of movies, I love watching them and discussing them … but I’ve always been on the fence about actually making them myself. During my college years, I was adamant about making short films, and collaborating with friends to make our own low budget, independent productions. Half the time, the experiences we had making them were more exciting and perhaps even interesting then the final products. It always got me thinking, what were the adventures like behind the camera, and it sparked my interest in seeking out movies about … well … making movies. One of the best I discovered during this time was the 1999 Documentary Comedy simply titled “American Movie”. Don’t be fooled, this isn’t any kind of goofy mockumentary in the vein of the 1984 comedy classic “This is Spinal Tap”, it’s a real documentary focusing on a crew putting together an independent film … and it just happens to have a sense of hummer along with any comedy classic … as well as human drama, and a warm sense of inspiration for anyone with set goals. 

  We follow independent filmmaker Mark Borchardt, who’s working on a short horror film called “Coven”, which if successful will raise capital for a potential feature film called “Northwestern”, which is his biggest passion. His filming experience is set between September 1995 and August 1997, and during this time, we see Mark’s process of translating his short film script from page to screen. Unfortunately for him, the project is riddled with set-backs, including Mark’s addiction to alcohol, his ex-girlfriend threatening to move out of state with their three kids, and a lack of enthusiasm from his film crew … which is mainly comprised of friends and family. Marks closest friend during the production is Mike Schank, who also composes the music, and is always there for his friend during the hardships of the production.

  The documentary itself was directed by Chris Smith, who captured the best of what his talented ensemble had to offer. Neither Mark Borchardt or his buddy Mike Schank were bound by any kind of scrip, it’s just these two natural guys being themselves, and exploding with humorous chemistry as a result. We have Mark driven by his passion to get the film made, and he frequently brings his distinct sense of hummer to his drive … “There are no excuses, no one pays the price of admission to look at a blank screen that reads “sorry, we couldn’t film this scene, so please use your imagination” … I’ve been to the movies and that’s never accrued”. Even with his witty retorts, Mark is also very humble, as he acknowledges his own faults, but aspires to better and achieve something significant in his life. His buddy Mike is quieter and more content, but holds personality deep within, and lets it explode out of him at special times … like screaming into a microphone. The two do make for an engaging pair, as we want to see them complete their film, and they can be quite funny in their own unique ways. 

  The same kind of genuine hummer comes from many of the supporting players, including Uncle Bill, who’s an elderly man in his Atom years, yet still dishes out a number of witty remarks … “Do they sell cigarettes in Heaven, I don’t think so”. For all the films humorous qualities, it still isn’t without it’s share of relatable or dramatic touches. One of the more memorable scenes for me is when Mark needs his mother to stand in as an extra during one of his shoots. It’s a relatable situation that brought back memories from my college years, in which I had my sister act in some of my own short films. Between good times and stressful times, the film manages to convey a sense of hopeful optimism. Mark Borchardt comments in the film that pursuing one’s goals against all odds is the “American Dream”. Personally, I feel this sentiment can apply to anyone following their passions. 

  In the time sense my college years, I haven’t continued to pursue filmmaking, but I still have my passions I follow, and I still look on this film as a genuine source of inspiration. It’s no-wonder this picture has achieved cult status, and truthfully, I’d say it’s a must watch for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in filmmaking. It’s got laughs, drama, quotable lines, and genuine sincerity to go around. While I personally wouldn’t label “American Movie” as one of my absolute favorite films, it is without question one of the best I’ve seen in the sub-category of “movies about making movies”, and I think it can be a genuine source of inspiration for anyone pursuing their dreams … especially young filmmakers. 

Thanks for reading my review of the 1999 Documentary Picture “American Movie” … and continue to follow your passions … whatever they may be.