American Movie

American Movie is a 1999 documentary feature film directed by Chris Smith. The film follows the passion, struggles, and perseverance of Mark Borchardt, an independent filmmaker, who seeks to realize his lifelong dream of making a horror film, which he names "Coven."

In the quaint, heartland setting of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Mark Borchardt isn’t making any ordinary movies. Instead, he's crafting homemade cinematic productions infused with raw creativity and chiseled with his quintessentially Midwestern point-of-view. Borchardt, as he transverses the obstacles of life, turns them into lower-budget film masterpieces, showcasing the prominence of his fervor and his gritty determination.

The compelling character of the film is Mark Borchardt himself, an underdog with lofty dreams, a man filled to the brim with enthusiasm for filmmaking amidst personal woes. He pours everything he has into completing his opus, despite his lack of formal resources. He's a man with a bottomless wellspring of ambition, truly embodying the independent spirit of American cinema.

A subplot of the film involves Mark's loyal best bud, Mike Schank, who serves as a fascinating counterpoint to Mark's high-energy dynamism. Schank, a recovering alcoholic and loving friend, supports Mark wholeheartedly, despite the frequent absurdities and difficulties they encounter during production. Schank’s gentle, almost Zen-like demeanor and supportive friendship provide great source of comic relief, as well as depth and warmth.

American Movie doesn't just explore the process of making a movie; it delves into the intimate dynamics, schisms, aspirations of American life itself. Chris Smith explores Borchardt's life, his familial relationships, his unyielding perseverance, and his curiously infectious optimism against a backdrop of often heartbreaking adversity. The result is an unflinching view into the heart of Midwest America, showcasing the enduring spirit of American dreamers.

Practical obstacles are captured vividly in American movie; financial constraints, unreliable cast members, physical injuries and Wisconsin’s harsh weather – they add to the film's authenticity and honorable honesty that make it an unforgettable documentary. A crucial aspect of the movie is Borchardt’s relationship with his parents, his sibling and his Uncle Bill - an 83-year-old man, who becomes one of Borchardt's unlikely investors. These exchanges reflect larger themes of misunderstanding, generational friction, and the poignant strains that dreams can place upon family ties.

Equally gripping is the switch that takes place halfway through the film, when Borchardt changes his focus from finishing ‘Coven’ to resurrecting his old horror project, ‘Northwestern,’ a slice-of-life drama about working-class life in his home town of Milwaukee. The stark contrast of the two projects, one ambitious and sprawling and the other streamlined and reflective, elucidates Borchardt's creative versatility and his complex layers of motivation.

Viewers will be gifted a genuine and raw look into the trials and tribulations involved in the independent filmmaking process. They'll see how the dream to make a movie, let alone a good one, often involves a lot more than just a camera and a script. It requires a cast of characters both in front and behind the camera for that dream to solidify into motion picture magic.

Dramatic, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking, American Movie has become a classic in the genre, demonstrating the power of documentaries to bring life’s eccentric, everyday heroes to the fore. Director Chris Smith pulls off a remarkable feat, revealing the depth of human spirit and resilience in the face of adversity with unblinking honesty and deep compassion. American Movie is an ode to the individual’s resilience pursuing the American Dream, and a testament to the power that comes from unyielding ambition and friendship.

Aficionados of independent cinema and anyone interested in the quirky, endearing, and often bizarre realities behind the filmmaking scene will find American Movie a thoroughly engaging and entertaining watch. It is a timeless classic of cinematic passion that doesn’t let financial hurdles and obstinate practical realities tarnish the irreplaceable joy of endeavor. Despite failures, misfortune and setbacks, Mark Borchardt's infectious positivity and resilience, that is often supported by the comic relief provided by Mike Schank, makes the documentary a timeless, inspiring and often hilarious account of a zealous pursuit of dreams. American Movie plays out like an affectionate tribute, not just to Borchardt and his friends, but to all who dare to dream big and strive to make it real.