Just an American Boy
Cowboy Pictures | Release Date: November 7, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
50
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews
Positive:
2
Mixed:
7
Negative:
2

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Boston GlobeJoan Anderman
Earle's song introductions, like those of his mentors Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, are as meaty, pointed, and touching as the tunes themselves, and his spoken words -- full of humor and humanity -- are the heart of the film. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
In performance, Earle comes across as a successor to Woody Guthrie or Johnny Cash. In this fawning portrait, however, he seems more like music's Michael Moore. Read full review
60
The New York TimesStephen Holden
A crude but stirring video documentary filmed over last year and this by Amos Poe, while Mr. Earle and his band were on tour. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Provides an interesting introduction to a compelling figure in contemporary pop music. Read full review
50
Village VoiceJosh Goldfein
Looking puffier than he did in New York last month, Earle gets his band together, rewrites his play about executed Christian Karla Faye Tucker on the eve of opening night, defends his patriotism (and yours), and flogs the current LP. And then he rocks some more. Read full review
50
New York PostLou Lumenick
A mediocre music documentary about veteran country rocker and activist Steve Earle, who created a furor with a song sympathetic to American Taliban John Walker Lindh. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneMonica Eng
Might have struck a deeper chord with fans who are still looking for the Steve Earle who exists behind the music. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
Will best be appreciated by those who are already firmly in Earle's camp. Read full review
50
Washington PostRichard Harrington
Decidedly low-tech and not always particularly coherent or cohesive. Read full review
38
PremiereLaine Ewen
Earle fans might see this film as a satisfying portrayal of a man they know and love, but those unfamiliar with the man and his music will likely leave the theater without much more interest in him than when the movie began. Read full review
30
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Ask New York-based filmmaker Amos Poe, who badly botches this profile of the artist with a sloppy structure, careless editing and amateurish optical effects that detract from what's actually good about the film: Earle's music. Read full review
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