The American Dream gets the Ed Wood treatment in this affectionate documentary.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 9, 2024

A snapshot of the times...in the form of a portrait of an artist at odds with the world around him and some personal conflicts within.

| Nov 7, 2024

The hapless director's determination and passion are astonishing, and undeniably impressive.

| May 27, 2022

See this film. You will laugh your head off.

| Nov 28, 2017

. . .American Movie remains a peerless feature doc. 17 years after its initial release, it remains a vital part of the non-fiction canon, a warm look at artistic folly that speaks to the delusional dreamer in all of us.

| Aug 15, 2017

| Original Score: B | Sep 7, 2011

With American Movie, director Chris Smith finds the heart of cinema in the unlikely environs of Milwaukee.

| Sep 1, 2009

Despite some lulls in pacing, American Movie ends up an inspiring and very entertaining look at a true dreamer.

| Dec 4, 2006

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Dec 6, 2005

| Original Score: 5/5 | Dec 6, 2005

| Original Score: 4/4 | Oct 5, 2005

A warm and funny tribute to the passion for film as well as the drive and determination of dreamers in general.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 20, 2004

An inspiration for every dreamer with too many excuses. If this chowderhead can make his movie, you can realize your ambition, too.

Full Review | Jul 14, 2004

Despite Borchardt's scary self-conviction, I'm not sure we're so easily convinced he deserves to make movies--or be the star of this one.

| Jun 9, 2004

Smith takes care not to make fun of his subject, even though the temptation must have been there.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 4, 2003

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 30, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 16, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 14, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 6, 2003

When a film feels this rooted and comfortable with itself, it's hard to assail its faults -- in this case, a steadfast refusal to handle its characters with anything other than heart-shaped kid gloves.

| Original Score: B | Jan 16, 2003