American Movie Review

American Movie (1999)

Rent The Mummy on Amazon Video
Directed by: Chris Smith
Starring: Mark Borchardt, Mike Schank, Tom Schimmels
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot

Chronicles aspiring filmmaker Mark Borchardt's battle to finish his horror short film Coven to raise money for his dream project despite a lack of just about everything, including money and common sense. 

Verdict
Most people won't care, but if you like how movies are made or determined/delusional people, this is amazing. Someone book smart about movies with little common sense and technical know-how made a short film. Literally anyone could do what Mark does. The fact they don't is what makes Mark impressive. He persevered when everyone doubted him.
It depends.

Review
Mark frequently refers to the American dream. He's sure that he can create a successful short film that will fund his feature length film project and launch his career. It's an audacious dream and for many people the idea never grows past infancy. Mark made it happen. He has an idea of how things should work and that frequently trumps common sense or logic.
It's a rough short film, but he does have some good shots. Mark had no connection, few skills, no money, and a group of friends that were less than willing participants. His drive and determination against all odds and to the surprise of everyone around him resulted in achieving his goal.

This takes place in the '90s. Mark kind of fits a stereotype with his thick glasses, sleeveless tee, and mullet. His friend Mike steals the show. Mike while clean now, admits he was into drugs before and it seems to show. Mike is the earnest sidekick, with even fewer notions of how to make a movie than Mark.

While his film was never as good as he imagined, and Mark frequently comes across as pompous and delusional, he still made the thing. Everyone is doing this to humor him, but he's directing like it's a million dollar film. His family talks about him like he's deranged. One brother states Mark is best suited for a factory job, while another brother thought he'd grow up to be a stalker or murderer.

His Uncle Bill who financed the movie with three thousand dollars is convinced to do voice work. As Mark urges him to say the line with emotion, Bill can't remember the lines. Mark tells him to believe in the line and the movie. Bill states he doesn't believe in the movie and walks off.

That's what this is. Anyone normal person would discount Mark. Most people in this movie do. I don't know if this is a movie about determination or delusion. Both helped Mark achieve his goal.