American Movie
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Videos & Photos
- Official Trailer (02:38)
- Trailer 1 (00:31)
Movie Info & Cast
Synopsis
Aspiring filmmaker Mark Borchardt attempts to finance his dream project by finally completing Coven (1997), a micro-budget horror film he abandoned years before.
Cast
- Mark Borchardt
- Tom Schimmels
- Monica Borchardt
- Alex Borchardt
- Chris Borchardt
- Ken Keen
- Mike Schank
- Matt Weisman
- Bill Borchardt
- Cliff Borchardt
Letterboxd User Reviews
4.2
85.7K
30.3K
32.9K
- Nov 27, 2014
This movie is often cited as an example of a documentary that exploits its subject, but if you watch this and can only laugh at Mark Borchardt, that's on you. I'd hate to live in a world where his story isn't told.
lairdOct 4, 2017I guess some people think this is exploitative, but it and the people in it are so inspiring to me. I love Mark Borchardt’s obsession with film; how he talks excitedly about shooting on 16mm black-and-white reversal stock and then later spends months stuck at a flatbed,…
LizJan 3, 2023Inspiring, sad, funny, and true, not necessarily in that order.
Sean Fennessey - Oct 4, 2017
"Pretty damn cathartic, Mark."
lairdJul 2, 2021realized this was not a mockumentary about halfway through and started crying. a singular experience. effortlessly capturing what it feels like to struggle to make something feels so ironic & honest & heartbreaking.
LauraApr 7, 2021"That's what it's all about: rust and decay. But there's still the warmth of a human soul out there."
laird - Sep 13, 2021
Mike remains the most pure person ever captured on film.
DaOConnmanMar 28, 2024American Movie premiered 25 years ago. I saw it for the first time when it played my college campus. Back then it almost felt a mockumentary, except its subjects were real people. I still remember the sound of the laughter erupting in the theater when American Movie’s…
Matt SingerAug 18, 2026One of my favorite docs, one of my favorite 90’s movies…heck, just one of my favorites ever. Hilarious, tough, heartbreaking.
carrieandtracy
Queue Community Reviews
91%
Community 324
Top Reviews
- Rachie lovedAmerican Movie
Is that what you wanna do with your life? Suck down peppermint schnapps and try to call Morocco at two in the morning? That's senseless!😂😂 This story kind of reminds me of Ed Wood. Just a guy who loves film and not only has the courage to go out and make them (with no money) but also convinces…
MovieDaddy likedAmerican MovieTwo chuckleheads try to make a classic horror movie and come up way short. It’s hard not to root for them though. They’ve got the passion, but lack the skill. This is a very watchable doc that will inspire some and make others shake their heads.
RayRay is "meh" onAmerican MovieWas cool to see so many places I’ve been to in a movie Otherwise this movie did absolutely nothing for me. Maybe I just didn’t get it, idk Never-mind, just searched it up and it was a real documentary? Thought it was a mockumentary. Cool. Still doesn’t make it good for me tho
- maximus likedAmerican Movie
"American Movie" leaves you wanting to analyze every moment, yet it's a documentary. Should I do the same for real life? What's the difference? It was captured so beautifully. There’s so much wrong with this movie - I love dearly. Watch it with care, it’s very cathartic.
Orlando Ramone lovedAmerican MovieMy all time favorite documentary! I highly recommend it to budding filmmakers and fans of horror movies. It’s about a young independent filmmaker trying to finish his horror short, Coven. Pronounced “C’oh-ven” because “Cuh-ven” sounds like oven, man. LOL
Iza lovedAmerican MovieMike will always be my favorite, this is a great film just to laugh about thinking it’s all fake but it’s not. This is all real life of a man who wants to make scary films but can’t get right.
- Nathan likedAmerican Movie
This poor man is pouring his heart and soul into everything about the film, I felt for him every-time. He is a unique person for sure, but his drive is inspiring.
Geoffrey likedAmerican MovieEven if it’s all a bit, this dude is such a character and his film gives light to a whole subsect of America that often is shadowed over.
Mickerdoo likedAmerican MovieGreat cast of characters. Mark is ambitious and lucky to have helpers. Mike is a hoot. And Uncle Bill is a trooper. Endearing.
Atom Users Reviews
Metacritic
USER SCORE (40)
Universal acclaim based on 40 Reviews
Brilliant, mind-boggling.
Michael Atkinson
Mr. Showbiz
Of all the many documentaries that take you along on a movie shoot, one of my all-time favorites is this delightfully scrappy, sometimes poignant, often hilarious show.
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
Frequently hilarious, if overlong.
Lou Lumenick
New York Post
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Movie family-friendly?
The movie has been rated as R, meaning that Under 17 requires an adult accompaniment.
How long is American Movie?
The movie is 1hr 47min long.
What's American Movie about?
Aspiring filmmaker Mark Borchardt attempts to finance his dream project by finally completing Coven (1997), a micro-budget horror film he abandoned years before.
Who's the cast of American Movie?
- Mark Borchardt as Filmmaker
- Tom Schimmels as Actor in 'Coven'
- Monica Borchardt as Mark's Mom
- Alex Borchardt as Mark's Brother
- Chris Borchardt as Mark's Brother
- Ken Keen as Friend, Associate Producer
- Mike Schank as Friend, Musician
- Matt Weisman as Casting director
- Bill Borchardt as Mark's Uncle, Executive Producer
- Cliff Borchardt as Mark's Dad
Who's the director behind American Movie?
Chris Smith directed American Movie.
Who produced American Movie?
Chris Smith and Sarah Price produced American Movie.
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