There is a remarkable intimacy that weaves itself into every moment of writer/director David Heinz's indie gem American Folk.

| Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 2, 2020

It's basically Once but on 9/11.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 17, 2019

Contrivances threaten to derail the otherwise subtle, unassuming charm in this exploration of Americana.

| Jan 25, 2019

The haunting effects of 9/11 have never been so lyrically approached on film...

| May 13, 2018

The actors are both accomplished folk musicians, so the music is amazing. The film is quiet and peaceful as they journey in a forced slow pace back to the epicenter.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Jan 31, 2018

The songs are lovely, and the first-time actors give performances that grow warmer as the film progresses

| Jan 27, 2018

American Folk didn't have to be good. Instead Heinz delivered a gentle yet nuanced exploration of America and Americans in one of our darkest hours.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Jan 26, 2018

American Folk-and the actors themselves-come alive when the music's playing, particularly if you're a fan of Pete Seeger-era Americana.

| Jan 26, 2018

Neither character is particularly compelling, nor are the goodhearted folk they meet along the way because It Was A Time When All Kinds of Americans Briefly Came Together and Heinz is only interested in pounding that idea home.

| Jan 26, 2018

Mild language in music-fueled 9/11 road-trip drama.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 26, 2018

Actor-musicians Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth make sweet music together in this tender road-tripping drama.

| Jan 26, 2018

The whole thing was a bad idea that only genius could've rescued. Maybe not even then.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Jan 26, 2018

A simple story, beautifully told, American Folk is a timely reminder of a dream not yet dead.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jan 25, 2018

While Heinz gets a little too meandering at times, he's after something kind and soulful with the feature, fighting current political and cultural divides with a reminder that civility and hope is still possible.

| Original Score: B- | Jan 25, 2018

David Heinz's excellent debut is an ardent plea for togetherness in a divided world. Aided by his leading actors, talented cinematographer, and ear-worm of a soundtrack, Joni and Elliott's journey is a privilege to share.

| Jan 24, 2018

Sung mainly by real-life folk musicians Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth, the songs lend the film an emotional resonance that the forced dialogue often struggles to achieve.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jan 23, 2018

Overall, Heinz managed to craft a feel-good film that breaks through even crusty hearts like mine, and that's no small feat.

| Oct 27, 2017

If only the beautifully photographed mountain majesty were the only thing purple about this mightily meandering movie that feels like a gentle gathering of quirkiness rather than a cohesive, compelling story about the immediate post-9/11 mood.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 12, 2017

With quirky characters met along the road, and as a visual love letter to the heartland, the film has a certain charm, and fans of folk music should be more than happy.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 20, 2017

The film belatedly emerges as one of the stronger fictional statements on 9/11.

| Jun 14, 2017