American Movie
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Description
Struggling filmmaker Mark Borchardt is the subject of American Movie, and he may also be the most determined man you'll ever meet. The straggly haired, fast-talking, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, native lists his greatest influences as Dawn of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. He began making horror movies as a gangly adolescent, and is now set on finishing Coven (which he pronounces like "woven"), the "35-minute direct market thriller" he has worked on for two years. In the process, he steadfastly battles immense debt, the threat of losing his kids, and birds chirping gleefully through scenes set in the dead of winter. His mother would rather do her shopping than be an extra, his brother contends he's best suited for factory work, and his father just wants him to "watch the language." Standing by him through it all is Mark's childhood buddy, Mike Schank, who is the strongest weapon against drug use a task force could ever hope for, and Uncle Bill, begrudging financier of Coven, who appears to be wasting away before our very eyes. In less perceptive hands these two could easily become caricatures--the burnt-out stoner and the crotchety old coot--but through director Chris Smith's lens we see why Mark loves them, why they love Mark, and why each of these stories is uniquely compelling. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, the film has been compared to Spinal Tap and Waiting for Guffman--two unquestionably hilarious mock-documentaries--and, indeed, American Movie has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. But in the spoofs, we feel encouraged to point and giggle at the poor slobs trying to get a piece of the action. Smith, however, offers us a funny and overwhelmingly affectionate portrait; you may sit down expecting to laugh at Mark's pie-in-the-sky hopes, but you soon find yourself bursting with admiration. "The American dream stays with me each and every day," Mark says, and by the end, we want nothing more than for it to come true. (The DVD version includes the complete short film "Coven.") --Brangien Davis
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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:
TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION!!!Monday, May 09, 2005
this is pure "comedy",proving once again that truth is stranger than fiction!!
at first viewing,i wasnt sure how to take this film - where we as an audience to beleive that these guys are for real?the longer one watches,though,it becomes clear that this is no joke!this is no "spinal tap" mockumentary at all,but a true documentary representing characters that couldnt possibly be anything other than real and unique.
i wont bore you with the highlights - just buy this!
1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Funny, Sad, and Ultimately InspiringTuesday, April 26, 2005
Some people may find this film sad and the main subject a delusional character wrapped up in a pathetic existence. I don't. I see a triumph of human spirit. A man so sure of himself and passionate about film making that he lets nothing get in his way. Bad weather, penniless, flaky actors, stacks of bills, tax notices from the IRS, no camera operator, old equipment, no staff, a disfunctional immediate and extended family, addictions, friends in jail, etc...it doesn't matter, nothing will stop this man on a mission to make a film. Many of Mark's dragons are certainly self-imposed by virtue of poor decisions made in his past, but his enthusiasm for life and film making is inspiring. Like the now legendary Ed Wood, Mark Borchardt stops at nothing to get the film made. He loves the art of film making and makes no apologies for his less then Scorsese level talent. Following your bliss takes on a new meaning in American Movie. The DVD contains the documentary with and without director Chris Smith, Mark, and his stoner buddy Mike Shank commentary (a must view for an equally entertaining time is the whole documentary with the commentary on). Also included are 22 deleted scenes, trailers, and web links also all of the short film "Coven" is included. Great documentary.
1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:
bill borchardt=my heroThursday, March 17, 2005
if you don't think the man is funny, then you have no sense of humor. "AIN'T GOT A DAMN THING TO DRINK EIT'ER?!" and "MMM, das good stuff." RIP Bill
Just about the perfect documentaryMonday, March 07, 2005
Mark Borchardt is my hero, although I pray to god that I never end up like him. I think that I have some things in common with Mark, we both dream of making movies, we both want to do nothing else in life, we both love horror movies, and neither one of us has ever actually directed a feature film. The only problem for Mark is that he has been trying to for a very long time. American Movie documents the process of mark trying to make Northwestern, his epic indie horror film. In the process we get to meet a lot of interesting characters and see a lot of interesting sights. We get a bit of a glimpse into the genius that is Mark Borchardt.
The DVD is especially great because it has Coven as a special feature. The short film that we see Mark finish during the documentary. American Movie is hilarious, heartwarming and at times heartbreaking. I know that I will be first in line to see Northwestern if it ever shows at my local theatre.
2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Ours Goes to "11"Wednesday, February 09, 2005
All I kept thinking while watching this was, "These Guys Are For REAL!!" What at first glance may appear to be tragic view of a man with a vision, the bottom line is that the only people who could possibly think this movie is mean spirited are elitists who look down on Mark Borchardt and Mike Schank.
I don't watch this movie with derision or condensation -- I feel for Mark. Although I am not a movie maker (just a movie fan) I appreciate and empathise with Mark and all of his innumerable obstacles -- scheduling extras, arranging financing, and a vision that no one around him always shares, or even always appreciates.
GO MARK GO!!!