Valami Amerika

Of course this is a film where the soundtrack (and selling it) matters more than the film itself. Of course this is a film where the sponsors matter more than the film itself. Rather sadly, there are some stupid inconsistencies in the script (especially in the dialog) that could have been easily avoided by a careful revision.

But in spite of all this I must say that commercial filmmaking - that is only (re)inventing itself nowadays - in Hungary has produced a nice, watchable comedy that is not annoying at all, despite all its clichés and its cartoonish characters.

In fact, Hungarian commercial filmmaking seems to have found its voice at last. After some highly successful movies in the Nineties that looked back on the years of communism with a mixture of nostalgia and irony (Sose halunk meg, Csinibaba) and recently the "modernized" remakes of two Thirties blockbusters (Hippolyt, Meseautó), this is a last a film that talks about this young, successful Budapest people of today. This is probably the secret of its success: it features a simple story that is not very realistic but with which on can well identify, some nice ideas (these days, it seems to be the ultimate "laugh-getter" in comedies everywhere these days that an older, conservative, petit-bourgeois person gets high on cannabis products by accident - this scene is very funnily played by Ila Schütz) and especially good directing, costume and set design and believable actors that seem to have fun bringing a human side to their often quite clichéd characters. (I would especially point out Eszter Ónodi's touching performance.)

Though the story and the characters themselves are nothing new, the scriptwriters and the director have nevertheless managed to give the whole environment a feeling of authenticity: there is not a single scene where you would think (though most situations are exaggerated and overdrawn) that a situation like this could never happen in Hungary, in an environment like this. It is probably this feel: "yes, this is what life is like in Budapest today", that has made the movie such a huge success.

Though definitely a popcorn movie, it is nevertheless worth watching because it captures the approach to life of a certain group of young Budapest people, of their hopes and dreams. It is also an example that a commercial film industry has started to establish itself in Hungary that is well able to create successful movies on its own, aimed to a Hungarian public that has up to now to be satisfied with Hollywood flicks. These Hungarian commercial films are of course not at all of higher artistic quality than their Hollywood counterparts, but they are closer to their own public and thus have good chances of capturing their attention and interest. This may also help to recreate a market for Hungarian films that has been lost after the fall of Communism and ameliorate the image of Hungarian filmmaking.

I was visiting my relatives in Budapest the other summer when I saw this incredible movie. I have not seen too many Hungarian movies, unfortunately, but I thought this movie was good in comparison to all movies.

All the characters were well defined and although the "american" film director did not sound entirely American, to Hungarians, he was very convincing.

The whole thing about the soundtrack and the advertisements- I really could care less, considering the genre of the movie. This is not some kind of profound drama that's meant to explore some major psychological issue. It's a hilarious comedy that gives some insight to Hungarian culture and their perception of America.

Like the other guy said, it's got some really hot chicks. I really wonder why the movie is not internationally renowned. Maybe everyone's thinking: where's HUNGARY, anyway? It's a shame...

You think you know America, well, guess again? After watching A Kind of America you will know a whole new America and laugh yourself silly. It's a really great movie about the funny parts of life that we all live for. The main actor is so funny with his facial expressions and the way he acts. It's like watching a European Charlie Chaplin or Woody Allen. Plus, the girls are sexy, and I don't mean the kind of sexy that makes you turn your head, I mean the kind of sexy that blows your eyes out of their sockets!!! I don't know much about directing, but the movie seems to have a nice, natural rhythm. You know how a lot of films feel choppy or sloppy? Not this one. It's really great. It's also cool because it makes fun of Hollywood, which is like Hollywood making fun of itself. Right? So check this one out, I guarantee you'll love it!

I agree with meitschi and her comment from 7 April 2002 in practically every point. Although there is not a single song in the movie dissimilar to some world hit already heard (or to another song in the film), I also felt the impulse to clap my hands.

This was just a jaunty little movie with young actors I had never heard of before (as I do not live in Hungary and cannot watch Hungarian television) but who were all at least okay. Especially Tibor Szervet impressed me because if I didn't have known from the start, I could have believed him to be an American producer. Not one second it bored me, although it is quite long compared to other TV-ish ensemble comedies.

After watching the movie, my aunt asked me to fill in a lotto coupon. I ticked off 90, 89, 88, 87 and 86

We checked out this movie on its premiere night. The place was overcrowded.

I wanted to see the movie so badly because of Tibor Szervet, who played the American filmproducer, Alex. I have seen him various times on stage and he is excellent.He was my main reason to see the film.

I loved the plot, quite original. I almost fell of the chair with laughter. The soundtrack is excellent. Apparently, more people have seen this (in Hungary) than blockbusters like the Planet of the Apes or Moulin Rouge. It's really refreshing to see something so typically Hungarian sometimes.

Well done Gabor Herendi! A sequel maybe? :)