American Fable (2017)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

I feel like the rating for this movie should be much higher than it is, considering how original and interesting the plot was. Sure there were fantasy elements, and things that made you question reality, but it didn't take away from the film as a whole. I enjoyed this movie from beginning to end. Peyton Kennedy blew me away and made me want to see her in just about anything else. Children really are such natural actors. She is the main reason people should see this film and enjoy it more than they may have otherwise. I really liked the way the script played with good & evil, similarly to what Christopher Nolan likes to do. I would watch this again, and certainly watch more like this.

When 11-year-old Gitty (Peyton Kennedy) discovers that her beloved father is hiding a wealthy man (Richard Schiff) in her family's silo in order to save their struggling farm, she is forced to choose between saving the man's life or protecting her family from the consequences of their actions.The "fable" of the title is the film's explicit parallel between Gitty and the story of the lion and the mouse. When the mouse sees that the lion is in trouble (perhaps from a thorn in his foot), the mouse does the seemingly right thing and aids the lion. But what is the outcome? Is the lion grateful or does he turn around and devour the tasty morsel? This is the problem facing Gitty: she wants to do the right thing, but is it worth the unknown outcome? With its blend of fantasy and the pastoral, "American Fable" might call to mind other films such as "Pan's Labyrinth" or even "The Reflecting Skin". The latter would be unfair, but the former is a good touchstone. While the fantasy in "Fable" is relatively mild -- more dream than altered reality -- it does feature a strong-willed young girl in a perilous world. And, for the record, Peyton Kennedy excels in this role, really carrying the weight of the entire film on her shoulders successfully.Speaking of the pastoral setting, credit must be given to the filmmakers for their location choices. Certainly you could replicate a Wisconsin farm in California or elsewhere, but actually filming in Wisconsin and Illinois captured the authentic nature of the Midwest. And the inclusion of the House on the Rock was brilliantly conceived. Anyone from the Midwest should instantly recognize the Infinity Room and the World's Largest Carousel, both of which double effectively as a dream sequence.Veteran actor Richard Schiff balances with Kennedy quite well and plays an excellent "lion". Viewers will be kept guessing if he really intends to keep his promises or if he will say anything just to survive. Kip Pardue's acting is the weak point of the film. Whether it is him or the script, he often seems out of place. Which leaves Gavin MacIntosh. His character, Martin, is impossible to love, coming across very much like a budding sociopath. MacIntosh's portrayal is therefore excellent -- he creates an uneasiness in the viewer that shows a real mastery of the character.As the debut feature film for writer-director-producer Anne Hamilton, "American Fable" is a winner, pure and simple. Moviegoers ought to keep their eyes open for Hamilton's name on future projects; whether she ends up staying in the independent film world or moves on to bigger studio projects, she exhibits world-class skill and imagination that we should hope to see more of.The home video release from IFC Midnight has a few small perks. There are deleted scenes that may add a little something for audience members who cannot quite get enough of this family. Sadly, there is no audio commentary or in-depth interview with Hamilton. Perhaps keeping some aspects shrouded in mystery is for the best, but it would have been nice to hear some thoughts on the writing, casting, funding and other topics from the auteur.

Thought this was a wonderful film, visually and atmospherically. The characters were excellent, both the likable and the not-so-likable (like the brother and the 'villain'), and the storyline was gripping and evocative. The only problem for me was the ending, or lack of it - too much was left unexplained which I'm afraid ruined it for me overall.

To be honest I almost didn't make it past the fifteen minute mark. I was just too lazy to change it. Did it get better, I can't say that it did. I can say that I began to appreciate it more. I still don't really like it, but on another level I really do like it. I hate it for the missed potential where both screen writer and director dropped the ball, almost like they weren't sure what to do with it.The movie is set in the Heartland, the Bread Basket of America, on a farm, with farm people. The timing is back in the early eighties when we were losing our family farmers to banks and speculators. Well a woman the dad meets has a plan to raise money, why she would partner with a complete stranger was never addressed. Her plan was to abduct one of the speculators and hold him for ransom. in a silo on our farm. This farming family has a couple of kids, the wholly psychopathic son and Gertrude, known as Gitty. One day while Gitty was out playing with her chicken, Happy, she was by the forbidden silo and heard the captive. As he hasn't eaten in a couple days he asks Gitty to help him. Reluctant our 11 year-old heroine ends up helping him. She is small enough to fit through the opening at the very top of the silo. They become friends, he teaches her to play chess. Is he her friend or just cozying up to her to the end of freedom? I don't know, the movie is fragmented, sort of. The acting is decent, especially from our young protagonist. Several times Peyton's portrayal of Gitty brought to mind Lizzie Samuels (not sure I'll ever forgive Carol murdering her, I digress. Some other stuff happens (fairly boring) but then we are at dinner and the psychopath cooked. Did I mention he's a psychopath who hates his sister and now he's running around with a gun. Earlier he chopped off the finger of the captive then tells Gitty he is going to kill her. A little bit of this and that and if I gave any further detail you could skip the movie and just read this.Now, is this movie about a kidnapping? Not really. It seems to b=me to be more of an allegory for Gitty growing up. We learn there are no books in the farm house, but Gitty thirsts for knowledge and experience. As she hangs with the captive her dress and hair style change subtly, slightly more mature, she develops goals for future career, a writer. Works much better as allegory that straight crime drama.See it. Heck just writing this I liked it one star more, who knows maybe that will go up next time I watch it, and I will be watching it again. Give it a try.