an obviously disturbed, pathetic bum feels the need to put his struggling family and world on screen and people call this art?
does anyone care about how he's NOT taking care of THREE children?
just another bum in the world.
why is this appealing. its a car wreck, and the people who slow to look at them annoy me.
...make a deal, you know, a deal...maybe he's a republican
Hmmmh.
Nope, this is one of the best documentaries ever. Makes me laugh every time.
You're obviously a sorry jackass with no sense of humor. This was a funny film and entertaining. The guy was a sad case, but at least he tried to do something creative and saw it through. I doubt you'll do anything of any worth in this lifetime, maarnonymous.
shareYou must realize first off, this guy you are talking about "Mark" did not direct or make "American Movie" Other filmmakers came across what he was doing which was making "Coven" and his other film, and they decided to fallow him around and make a documentary about the amateur film maker. Second, your eyes only saw what was in front of the camera, he takes care of his kids, they are fed and have a house and an awesome dad. You also have to realize that Mark is smarter than he appears. Just because he is not rich and wear designer cloths does not mean he is not smart. He may seem like a crazy kid himself, but the idea's and concepts he has are really great. Most people would see what a disaster that movie would be and would have not even begun to work on it. Despite all his disasters, and all the negative things that happened during his making of Coven he kept going and eventually made it into a theatre where people paid to go and watch it. Ive never done that. I see kids who are worse off with horrible parents everyday, if he didn't divert some attention to himself he would not have become the success he is today and thus by doing that can be the better father you think he can be. Now he is not working on a film and has some money in his pocket from his new found fame. Cant you be a positive person and be happy that some guy pushed hard enough and found his way. Sure they may seem odd to you but when I think about it, I think Mark makes more sense than some of us. Most of us have kids and sweep our dreams under the rug. Here is a guy who didn't. He went for it and I envy him in certain ways.
shareWhat makes you think he doesn't take care of his kids? He was mad when his ex wanted to take them, obviously that means he cares. And this wasn't filmed 24/7. You know nothing about his family or how he really is. You may call him disturbed, but he probably refers to himself as just being happy.
shareYeah i don't know where everyone says he was not looking after his kids he had a job and his debts were no worse than most people working low paid jobs.
I've been quite down last few days and watching this film really perked me up. Yeah he was a bit of an idiot when he got drunk but his passion in the face of his miserable family was heroic. And Mike cracked me up. The only real evidence you need that a life of partying has an impact. So many amazing characters like why was ken arrested?
Anyway i've been wanting to watch this film since i heard about it but have not been able to find it on R2 DVD. It finally came on BBC2 and i recorded it. Thank god for BBC2. Amazing, uplifting and damn funny with that bittersweet edge.
To me it was about a man who may not of made the greatest movie ever but he made a movie and looking at his profile has been involved i others. Good on you Mark and Mike.
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I think you did the right thing, Deprogram - why tax yourself? I mean watching that kind of stuff you might end up having an original idea or two, or even pondering the tragi-comedy that is the human drama, and it's protagonists' tendency to pursue pathetic but beautiful dreams. You may even - heaven forfend! - remember your own, if you ever had any.
I wanna find out why I'm working - the answer can't be just to pay bills and pile up more money.
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Firstly I should say my comments were not really directed at you, Deprogram - you only wrote a couple of lines so I didn't have enough of an impression to go on for that - but at your agreement with the original poster, and at that individual.
Personally, I think Borchardt comes across as an interesting and inspiring guy, and I really enjoyed his film, Coven. But that's beside the point. I'm pretty certain the film makers who approached Borchardt to make a documentary about his struggles as a film maker were keen to produce an entertaining and profitable film, rather than one which gives a balanced picture of Borchardt, so why should he cop all this flack as though he produced the film? All those who didn't enjoy American Movie should direct their attacks towards the filmmakers, not Borchardt, their subject - he's not a politician or a role model or anyone worthy of hate on these boards. Walk down any busy city street on any day and you'll pass worse people.
am i alone in thinking that watching this movie was a waste of 2 hours?Yup. Mostly because it lasts 107 minutes.
Why its worth watching: 90 % of the people of the world who try to be artists, go - in economical and personal ways - exactly the same thing through in their life, even if a lot maybe are performing better than Borchardt. The totally sucessful ones never tell us about that.
That Borchardt is failing at doing movies, plus his overconfident personality, adds a little fun to this depressing overview.