Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

shadow_blade-89459 "American Movie" (1999) is a documentary from the perspective of aspiring filmmaker Mark Borchardt as he attempts to achieve the American dream. The film follows Mark as he enlists friends and family to help him create his first major feature film when an unforeseen hiccup throws a monkey wrench into his production and causes him to rethink his plan and priorities. He must decide whether to scrap everything or reenergize and refocus. The story is a rollercoaster of emotions as the viewer tries to decide whether to root for this underdog, hate this aggressive, seemingly uneducated jerk, or feel sorry for the trials and tribulations of him. The film is very well put together for the era and budget.The pacing of this film has moments that feel like they are dragging on, but not with out purpose. Every shot and edit coincides with what Mark is experiencing. It is slightly difficult to comprehend the specific point of this film. It could be just a story of a man with big aspirations or the understanding of the difficulty behind making a film. I, however, believe the point of this film is to show what can be accomplished with true determination. The payoff presents equal parts of positive and negative emotions. Every success story has a level of undisclosed consequence imbedded unseen to the naked eye, but this film presents both. Overall, I am not a huge fan of the movie, but it is not due to story or production. If you can get past heavy character flaws, this movie is a wonderful success story of determination and heart worth at least one viewing.

tnrcooper This movie, about supremely untalented American film-maker Mark Borchardt and his attempts to make a short film in order to make a small amount of money which will launch him into fame and fortune as a film-maker, is riveting. As they say, fact is stranger than fiction. That is certainly borne out by this picture. Borchardt uses his friends, family, and assorted local actors to try and complete this picture.Borchardt is a character who could drive a novel or inspire cult members. One sometimes wonders why so many of the folks who people his film work for as long as they do, with him. But in truth, it's not hard to tell. Borchardt, however misguided, has vision. He doesn't have much talent and he has a drinking problem, but he has a vision. He has determination and perseverance that others can only dream of. He has charisma. It makes him a compelling leader, but unfortunately he is devoid of many great ideas. His lack of focus and alcoholism extend the length of the production almost indefinitely. He does complete "Coven" and even gets a premiere in his hometown theater, but it takes him a long time.He never makes the movie "Northwestern" which he dreams of making. Perhaps he didn't have the vision to bring that movie to fruition, but he did want to make epic films and leave the everyday grind of life in the US. He had his dream. Unfortunately, he didn't have the vision to bring his dreams to life but he had an awful lot of determination. If people take potshots at Borchardt for his supposedly being "white trash" then I hope they are living lives of total sophistication and order because if they aren't, they're total hypocrites. Yes, Borchardt might exhibit characteristics of being "white-trash", but the purity of his belief in getting out from under the life he had, is absolutely inspiring.

PWNYCNY This movie provides an excellent insight into the world of movie making, a world that requires no special training, just the desire to to do something creative. Movie making is one of the few areas left where formal credentials are not required. Case in point is the subject of this movie, a young man who starts out with nothing and years later creates a commercial product. It's really quite impressive. What I did not like about this documentary is that the young man and his associates are portrayed as being marginal and dysfunctional characters when in fact they are business people trying to put together a commercial product, and just because they don't dress or sound the part does not make them any less deserving of respect. Then again, maybe that's a strong point of the documentary. Whatever the case, this documentary should be a must see for anyone who has an urge to create but does not know where or even how to start. If this young man could do it, why not us?

ptitech Mark Borchardt is the subject of this riveting documentary. He's that kind of guy that you can't decide if it's genius or insanity. His focus is razor sharp, he knows exactly what he wants to do, exactly how he wants it done and you just know that NOTHING will stop this guy making his movie. The documentary follows Mark around as he postpones making his movie Northwest to make a movie he started 6 years earlier called Coven. His crew is made up of buddies. his financing is basically family, friends and scratch cards. Nothing is going to stop Mark doing what he wants. You grow to like him as the movie progresses and the dynamic between him and those around him is so soft and warm that you almost wish you had him as a friend. Coming from a background of drug abuse, alcohol abuse and many AA meetings Mark is the epitome of the human spirit. Obsessed with the American dream of wealth and good fortune he will succeed or he will die trying. Good luck to you Mark.