X
- 2016
- Not Rated
- The Orchard
- 1 h 30 m
- 2016
- Not Rated
- The Orchard
- 1 h 30 m
Summary When Charlie Paczynski’s (Greg Stuhr) raven-haired partner is caught in the crossfire of a blackmail scheme gone bad, he trails the prime suspect to the brink of Niagara, only to receive a cryptic warning: ‘what’s happening here you can’t begin to comprehend’… Thrust into a world populated by a whiskey-swilling raconteur (Robert Forster)...
Directed By: Jenna Ricker
Written By: Greg Stuhr, Jenna Ricker
- 2016
- Not Rated
- The Orchard
- 1 h 30 m
- 2016
- Not Rated
- The Orchard
- 1 h 30 m
The American Side
65
5.8
Where to Watch
Summary When Charlie Paczynski’s (Greg Stuhr) raven-haired partner is caught in the crossfire of a blackmail scheme gone bad, he trails the prime suspect to the brink of Niagara, only to receive a cryptic warning: ‘what’s happening here you can’t begin to comprehend’… Thrust into a world populated by a whiskey-swilling raconteur (Robert Forster)...
Directed By: Jenna Ricker
Written By: Greg Stuhr, Jenna Ricker
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 5 Critic Reviews
65
60% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
40% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 5 Critic Reviews
65
60% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
40% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
All of it is such a throwback on so many levels (Charlie’s car, his clothes, his incessant use of pay phones) that you just go with it, no matter how many confusing twists and turns the conspiracy theory plot takes thanks to co-writers Stuhr and Ricker.
This hard-boiled noir is the real deal.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 12 User Ratings
5.8
33% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
33% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
33% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 12 User Ratings
5.8
33% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
33% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
33% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
For the period the movie was placed in it was very realistic. Greg Stuhrs performance was thorough and concise as to the story line given. The American side was as some said a throw back but its concept and clarity are to be admired. With all the (shoot em up) concepts in todays cinema it is great to see that a storyline can be worked thru and followed to its objective climax without the use of the props that clutter and demean the story. Great Job! J VanDeMark
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The American Side is a noir thriller with enough style to be interesting. Starring Greg Stuhr who plays a small-time researcher who discovers a conspiracy involving long-lost technical designs by Nikola Tesla. That alone is a pretty good reason to watch this film.
The film is entertaining and has a good pace, it definetely has mistakes but none serious. The script is not as consistent and explanations are rare but the dialogue is not as complicated and the actors do their job well.
While the main character is not really someone who displays charisma at least he's able to maintain the audience's attention and make you want to know what will happen in the end.
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The American Side is a loving homage that should be of particular interest to film buffs who can play spot the references.
If the self-consciousness can be charming, it also prevents The American Side from becoming fully its own film.
While The American Side may not quite achieve the classic thriller tone to which it aspires, it does create an enjoyably hard-boiled world.
I registered an account on Metacritic due to being so disappointed by the rating of this film, the writer of the film also stars in it.... Which does go some way to explain it being over indulgent nonsense, it was a throwback to some French film from the 70's. Silly, unrealistic, trying too hard to be complicated and confuse the viewer, I kept giving it the benefit of the doubt that it would turn out to be much better but just ended up feeling like it had been a complete waste of time, avoid!
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I have no idea how some "professional critics" have given this a 75%. That is what lured me into watching this dreck in the first place. Yes, it harkens back to early noir with it's hard-boiled detective lingo and stereotypical characters, but it's not nearly as good as your average noir thriller. It seems like it is trying too hard. The dialog is cliched and clunky. The acting is a mess for the most part with only a few of the actors being able to rise above the material. And for the record, Matthew Broderick is NOT one of them. He's stiff as a board here and even looks bored. This was clearly a paycheck for him. Garofalo fares no better with her, what, 3 minutes of screen time? Of course, she's far from a top-shelf name these days. The only way to view this film is to turn it into a drinking game. Extended foot chase scene? Drink. Stupid "hard-boiled detective" comment? Drink. An editing cut that has you scratching your head to where you are in the film now? Drink. Beautiful woman trying to be plausible as a noted scientist? Drink. Beautiful woman coming on to detective with no discernible attractive qualities? Drink. At least you'll be nicely toasted by the time the credits roll.
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Production Company
One Horse Shy Productions,
Centre Street
Release Date Apr 22, 2016
Duration 1 h 30 m
Rating Not Rated
Tagline There are three sides to every story... the truth, the lie, and the American side.
