This movie changed my life. Even if it was poorly dubbed, weirdly paced and most of the scenes had nothing to do with the plot, it had the greatest thing any movie can have: inexplicably nudity! (who cares if it's an educational film about the history of Bruges specifically made to be shown in a museum.) Second most importantly was the CGI'd parrot chase action sequence. A true joy.
Reviews
2 Reviews
American Me
(1992)
Powerful, but Flawed
25 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Few films have ever highlighted the struggles of gang life and perpetual cycle of bloodshed better than American Me. Ultimately the film focuses on a split in loyalty between the nuclear family and the criminal family and the tension between those two worlds. There is also a good deal of attention played to the inability to escape gang life, the very limited options of the gang members, and their narrow worldview.
While there are may things to like about this film there are a few obnoxious flaws. While the plot and most of the performances are top notch, some of the dialog is redundant and much of the cinematography is unimaginative aside from a few memorable moments. The narration takes the form of simple rhymes which take away from the seriousness of the subject matter. Finally, there some odd editing decisions like cutting between the lovemaking of the main character and his girlfriend and a man being gang raped in prison, but otherwise the direction was stellar.
My only real complaints about the film are the over use of the term "ese" which seems to be every other word and the score which is unfortunately stuck in the 1980's with cheesy softcore porn blues guitar. Otherwise there is very little to complain about.
There are few if any gangster movies that better serve to highlight the endless cycle of death, drugs and betrayal of gang life better than American Me.
While there are may things to like about this film there are a few obnoxious flaws. While the plot and most of the performances are top notch, some of the dialog is redundant and much of the cinematography is unimaginative aside from a few memorable moments. The narration takes the form of simple rhymes which take away from the seriousness of the subject matter. Finally, there some odd editing decisions like cutting between the lovemaking of the main character and his girlfriend and a man being gang raped in prison, but otherwise the direction was stellar.
My only real complaints about the film are the over use of the term "ese" which seems to be every other word and the score which is unfortunately stuck in the 1980's with cheesy softcore porn blues guitar. Otherwise there is very little to complain about.
There are few if any gangster movies that better serve to highlight the endless cycle of death, drugs and betrayal of gang life better than American Me.
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