Synopsis
American Movie is the story of filmmaker Mark Borchardt, his mission, and his dream. Spanning over two years of intense struggle with his film, his family, financial decline, and spiritual crisis, American Movie is a portrayal of ambition, obsession, excess, and one man's quest for the American Dream.
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Cast
- Mark BorchardtFilmmaker
- Mike SchankFriend / Musician
- Tom SchimmelsActor in 'Coven'
- Monica BorchardtMark's Mom
- Alex BorchardtMark's Brother
- Chris BorchardtMark's Brother
- Ken KeenFriend / Associate Producer
- Matt WeismanCasting Director
- Bill BorchardtMark's Uncle / Executive Producer
- Cliff BorchardtMark's Dad
Recommendations
- 100
San Francisco Chronicle
That's why American Movie cuts so deep: It's about the American dream, about not giving up, about being true to yourself. - 90
L.A. Weekly
This unassuming, insistently entertaining documentary has the virtue of a great subject. - 88
Chicago Tribune
Of all the many documentaries that take you along on a movie shoot, one of my all-time favorites is this delightfully scrappy, sometimes poignant, often hilarious show. - 80
Chicago Reader
Often coming across as simultaneously out of control and self-possessed, Borchardt can't have been an easy target, but the filmmakers seem to have nailed him. - 80
TV Guide Magazine
Wildly entertaining and quite poignant. - 80
Newsweek
Like its subject, American Movie works entirely on its own quirky terms. - 80
Dallas Observer
Touching, frequently hilarious. - 70
Village Voice
Although I don't begrudge Borchardt his year of fame, what he doesn't seem to understand about his exploitation creeps me out.
