American Movie

Summary

“Suck down peppermint schnapps and try to call Morocco at two in the morning? That’s senseless! But that’s what happens, man.”

Sony has given one of the most celebrated independent documentary films of the Nineties, American Movie, a 4K UHD upgrade. Like a number of Sony’s more recent 4K releases, this was a bit of a surprise, especially since this film was given a pretty solid Blu-ray release in 2022 by Sony Pictures Classics. I have been a fan of this picture since it was first released in 2000 when I was fifteen years old. I remember watching the two subjects of the documentary, aspiring filmmaker Mark Borchardt and his best friend Mike Schank, talking on a late night television program. Both men had mullets and moustaches. Mark was lanky and bespectacled, whereas Mike was shorter and slightly overweight. They were attempting to discuss their short film “Coven,” which had taken them years to complete. They were hoping to drum up sales of the short film’s release on VHS to the viewers of the show. Their quest to make that short film was the subject of Chris Smith’s documentary. I knew that I had to see American Movie as soon as possible after seeing that interview. I was not at all disappointed. I owned a copy of American Movie on VHS for years and watched it a number of times with any of my friends that were willing to sit down and watch it with me. Naturally, I was excited to revisit the film on 4K.

Filmmaker Chris Smith, over the course of a couple years, documented the quest of filmmaker Mark Borchardt to borrow enough money and find enough time to make a film called Northwestern. When that project hit a dead end, mainly due to lack of funding, Mark changes course and focuses on finishing a black and white short film named “Coven” which he had started years earlier. As Mark struggles to borrow enough funds from his ailing producer and great-uncle Bill, Mark manages to inspire a number of local actors and friends to continue to work with him off and on to finish the short film. Along for the ride is Mark’s best friend Mike Schank. Mike dons a sweet mullet, loves to play guitar, and seems perpetually stoned from his years of serious drug use before achieving sobriety. As the two friends make the picture they also must navigate Mark’s tumultuous family life.

American Movie is simultaneously hilarious, hopeful, and just slightly depressing. It is obvious from the beginning of the picture that filmmaker Mark Borchardt will probably never become a household name like the filmmakers he admires. He lives a life with his head in the clouds dreaming of making something better of himself while working low paying menial blue collar jobs that keep himself and his three children living below the poverty line. Despite the fact that his dreams of becoming the next Kubrick are not within the range of his limited talents, his perseverance to finish a short film he had started years earlier is admirable. Mark is a recovering alcoholic and the film shows numerous times in which he falls off the wagon while trying to complete “Coven.” His enthusiasm for his project eventually wins over all those around him, including the numerous actors whom have worked on his projects with him off and on for years. His enthusiasm also will win over the prospective audience of the film. Mark is surrounded by a cast of misfits, family members, and local actors that immediately made me think of the mockumentary Waiting for Guffman. Mark’s best friend Mike had done acid and other drugs so many times that he had come close to death, and now sober he takes pleasure in occasionally winning scratch-offs or just the pleasure of being in Mark’s company. Mike’s inherent sweetness and willingness to do basically anything that Mark asks of him just to be a good friend causes the film to feel strangely uplifting instead of bleak or tragic. We should all be so lucky to have a friend like Mike that is willing to help us achieve our dreams, whatever they might be. Mark’s great uncle and producer Bill is also extremely memorable. Death is nearing for Bill so he says cryptic things that are somewhere between depressing and funny, and he occasionally allows Mark to get him soused. The whole film rides this strange balance of comedy and depression. 

Filmmaker Chris Smith does not completely show the characters of his film in the very best light, using moments that might make them look somewhat foolish. While that may feel somewhat exploitative, when asked about it, Mark Borchardt replied that he didn’t mind because Chris had to make a film too. I think that pretty well explains the somewhat upbeat and optimistic mindset that Mark takes towards life and one of the reasons the film feels like such a light entertainment even with the difficulties that everyone in the film faces. I highly recommend checking out American Movie if you have not done so. I feel confident that it might become one of your favorite documentaries as well.

Video

Sony Pictures delivers American Movie on 4K UHD with a reference quality transfer. The picture was shot in the traditional 1:33:1 framing that other documentaries are known for. Like all documentaries, the footage only looks as good as the real events as they were filmed. This is not a beautiful film, or an ugly film, but it does look as good as it could possibly look in this presentation. I have no qualms with how this turned out.

Audio

American Movie is presented with its original DTS-HD MA Mono track. This is a dialogue heavy affair (as one would expect,) but the audio field comes across very well with clearly rendered dialogue. I didn’t detect any notable issues.

Supplements:

• Director and Cast Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Coven Short Film by Mark Borchardt
• Theatrical Trailer

Overall Scores:

Video – 4/5

Audio – 4/5

Supplements – 3.5/5

Overall – 4.5/5

American Movie is one of my favorite documentary films of the Nineties and one of my favorite documentaries of all time. I have seen the picture several times over the years, and I think it is safe to say that Sony’s 4K UHD treatment of the picture will be the final word on this extremely entertaining and heart-filled documentary. While filmmaker Chris Smith in some ways exploited the cast of odd characters in the picture, the film also allowed Mark Borchardt entry into the arena he so badly wanted to participate in. I have always had a great laugh watching the picture, and I heartily recommend checking it out. I also appreciated that Sony has included the short film “Coven” in the special features. That is a fantastic bonus. I am very happy to have this film in my collection. If you have not upgraded from the DVD, this is the route to go. If you have already purchased the Blu-ray, I am not sure the uptick in visuals and inclusion of “Coven” is enough to double-dip, but it might make a compelling case. Highly recommended!

The film can be purchased at www.moviezyng.com.