The American Side

Name: The American Side
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: April 22, 2016
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 65

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 12 Ratings

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5.8

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5.8	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 12 Ratings

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The American Side

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Movie Details & Credits

Orchard, The | Release Date: April 22, 2016 | Not Rated

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),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), strangely bonded siblings (Matthew Broderick and Camilla Belle), and a dubious government agent (Janeane Garofalo), Paczynski joins the quest for a long-lost design by enigmatic genius, Nikola Tesla.… Expand

Director: Jenna Ricker

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

The Film Stage Jared Mobarak

Apr 27, 2016

This hard-boiled noir is the real deal. Read full review

Miriam Di Nunzio

Jun 16, 2016

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. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Apr 27, 2016

The American Side is a loving homage that should be of particular interest to film buffs who can play spot the references. Read full review

Abbey Bender

Apr 27, 2016

While The American Side may not quite achieve the classic thriller tone to which it aspires, it does create an enjoyably hard-boiled world. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

Apr 28, 2016

If the self-consciousness can be charming, it also prevents The American Side from becoming fully its own film. Read full review

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User Reviews

Vandybgood

Nov 18, 2021

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 isFor 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… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Feb 6, 2018

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 entertainingThe 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DrZemf

Sep 4, 2016

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 tooI 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!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

NewmansOwn

Sep 14, 2016

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 noirI 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.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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