 American Movie
A cock-eyed look at movie making and the American Dream
Reviewed by Bruce Cantwell
Mark Borchardt wants to be a filmmaker, to tell the story of what it means to grow up a poor working (or unemployed) stiff on the Northwest side of Milwaukee. He speaks passionately about hanging out with his friends who drink too much, trying to deaden the nagging thoughts of a bleak future. His film Northwestern will show this bleakness to reveal a glimpse of the human goodness that shines through even the toughest circumstances.
But to make his masterpiece, he first needs to sell 3000 copies of a direct-to-video black & white horror movie short entitled Coven. And before he can finish making Coven he has to pry $3000 out of his crotchety, cynical, trailer-living Uncle Bill who's tighter than his Poli Grip seal.
Chris Smith's documentary about "the making of" a low budget schlock horror movie is the kind of screwball comedy that Hollywood wishes it could make. Steve Martin tried earlier this summer: Bowfinger (which wasn't bad), just nowhere near as good.
Mark Borchardt, a cheesehead scarecrow with a look right out of the early seventies isn't your typical leading man, but he's a hell of a lot more interesting than a Brad Pitt or Keanu Reeves.
 Smith captures the dynamics of Mark's complex relationship with Coven's 82-year old executive producer Uncle Bill.
Coven's score composer, Mike Schank, Mark's former drinking buddy (now sober) explains his involvement in this convoluted enterprise. He likes Mark and because Mark makes movies, he ends up making movies too. Mike's first love is the Wisconsin lottery.
Other friends, family and cast members find themselves putting up with Mark's insane, unfocused ambition not because they have any thought of personal gain but because they know it means the world to him.
His brothers admit that he has a gift for gab if nothing else. His actors add that he's persistent (Coven takes three years to complete, Northwestern has been in pre-production since the '80s). No one but Mark thinks that he'll be a success.
Smith records the film making mishaps with a sense of timing out of This is Spinal Tap but anyone whose been involved with coordinating the logistics of even a class project video will vouch for their veracity.
 Strictly speaking, American Movie is a tragedy because its protagonist doesn't (and probably never will) make the movie of his dreams. On the other hand, his film about the underlying humanity of Northwest Milwaukee's set-upon residents has already been made. This is it: all the friendship and love and support a man could ask for are demonstrated in this film. On that score, Mark's a lucky man.
If you like this, try:
The Big Picture Christopher Guest's (This is Spinal Tap) hilarious take on the Independent film scene.
Living in Oblivion Steve Buscemi (Fargo) plays a Borchardt-esque director.
20 Dates another "documentary" about an ambitious film maker.
 
|
