Americano (2005)

Who payed the critics

Expected more

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This movie is about three friends, a couple and their writer friend Chris who travel around the world to find themselves and the truth. When they reach Spain their adventure heats up when they meet Adella. Adella and Chris are instantly attracted to each other, she decides to give him a taste of Spain.From food, beautiful places, music (the soundtrack is absolutely amazing!), and even the famous San Fermin (Pamplona Bull Run). But my favorite scene must be the scene when Adella played by Leonor Varela seduces Chris played by Joshua Jackson. Such a beautiful scene and the song is super hot.

I wish there were more films like this. Truly a gem. If you like foreign films then you will love the style of this American tale. It captures real life in a remarkable, visceral way that few films ever achieve. The bullfight was a little too bloody for my taste but writer-director Kevin Noland did a good job of showing the good, bad and the ugly of the Spanish tradition. You won't have to go to a bullfight or run with the bulls once you see this film - but you will want to go to Spain. And the running of the pit bulls and little people has to be one of the most bizarre and funny scenes I can recall - classic! Great acting and directing. The visuals are so good they ought to be studied. Music was a strange mix of old and new but it works well.

first things first. this is a movie, not a documentary. if you don't know the difference, you shouldn't be involved with a website like this. i have read a lot of comments about how much this movie sucked. i have only this to say. it obviously stuck with people long enough to get online and write a "review" about it. it's always easy to tear a movie apart for what you didn't like about it. i feel sorry for the people who do that though. watching movies is much more enjoyable if you look for things you do like about them. this movie has more than a few redeeming qualities that have been blatantly overlooked in some pretty hateful rants. just to let you in on a few... 1 - the accents aren't perfect. get over it. once you move on you'll listen to what they are saying and not how they sound when they're saying it. there is some pretty clever and realistic dialogue in this movie. 2 - leonor varela is wonderful in this movie. i saw that some were accusing her of overacting the role. i just want to clarify that she is portraying an actress from a small village in spain. and actress playing an actress would seem like overacting to the people who didn't catch that. 3 - the overall message, while maybe elementary in tone, is a good one.americano deserves at least one watch before it is attacked. it was very enjoyable. not great, but certainly not bad.

Kevin Noland makes a fine debut in both writing and directing this colorful, insightful, low-key exploration of the age old Apollonian Dionysian conflict. For a first film, despite some minor technical glitches (overexposed photography at key moments, a soundtrack that eats the dialogue before it is audible), Noland proves himself a keen observer of life, of philosophy, and of character studies. He is definitely an artist to watch.Chris McKinley (Joshua Jackson in yet another fine performance) has just finished college and is ending his summer holiday in Spain with only three days before he returns to an important corporate position in the US. He is traveling with two friends, Ryan (Timm Sharp) and Michelle (Ruthanna Hopper) who are lovers, and they end their holiday in Pamplona, Spain just as the festival of the bulls is happening. Chris' backpack is stolen and with it his passport, credit cards, all semblances of civilization..., and he plunges out of despair into the wildness of the running of the bulls. He meets two important influences: American expatriate bar owner Riccardo who spouts forth 'live for the moment' concepts, and the beautiful and intoxicating Adela (Leonor Varela) who embodies all that is fascinating about the beauty of Spain. The four young people set out on a hike to fly fish, carouse, and live with nature, and this excursion into Spain's gorgeous countryside affects the foursome: Ryan and Michelle decide to part ways and Chris and Adela...well, the story has a fine ending! Noland respects the viewer and offers his tale of discovery with minimal dialogue, some terrific music, exciting footage of the running of the bulls and bullfights, and some hallucinogenic views of nature. Both Joshua Jackson and Leonor Varela light up the screen. Ruthanna Hopper (Dennis Hopper's daughter) not only acts well, she also has been part of this project since its inception, is one of the producers, and adds a credibility to the story. So despite the occasional technical flaws, this is a little film of joy, a celebration of discovery the important facts of living. Grady Harp