Americano

Mathieu Demy has lived his life in the film industry. Between his father Jacques, his mother Agnès Varda, and his own history of acting or otherwise appear in features since he was a child, Demy is no stranger to the medium. Directing isn't the same as acting though, no matter how much exposure one has had to the art form, and that this marks the man's first full-length endeavor in that capacity arguably does come across in some measure. I hardly mean to altogether impugn his skills, for I think this is a fair effort, and while the strength is variable it's unquestionably there. 'Americano' is a picture split almost perfectly in two, however. Its best value is in the portrait of Martin's grief, and the ordeal of taking apart the pieces of a life that's no more, and rediscovering memories or finding out who that person really was. This is something that almost all of us have dealt with at some point, or know that we will, and the hollowed out tone of the first half in particular, and Demy's like comportment as an actor, makes this facet of the movie very real. That feeling extends into the second half to some degree as Martin starts to rather fall apart in seeking out Lola, and trying to learn more about her, and his mother. On the other hand, the more that the title tries to introduce a sense of narrative - Martin's trip to Mexico, the progression of his difficulties, Lola's background and personal history - the weaker and flimsier it all feels, and less convincing. I don't think 'Americano' is bad, but there's one particular thing that it does very well, and when it steps away from that strength, it just doesn't hold up as well.

I'm not sure if it's the writing or the direction that's more meager and unfocused in the second half, or maybe both are equally at fault. Be that as it may, I still think this is ever so slightly better than not. Though imperfect, Demy shows fine promise in orchestrating scenes; in broad terms the story is compelling, and the characters - Martin above all - are complicated and worth exploring. The scene writing is solid, even when the plot struggles, and there are some moments here that are especially sharp, whether in writing, direction, or in Georges Lechaptois's cinematography. The cast give swell performances all around, with Demy again standing out in his downcast portrayal of the protagonist; Salma Hayek is only a bit player by comparison, but she, too, has a couple moments to shine. All those behind the scenes turned in fine work, including costume design, hair and makeup, production design, and effects; I like the music. This is well made in most regards, really, making it all the more unfortunate that the substance 'Americano' has to offer is distinctly uneven. With some reworking I think the end result could have worked much better than it does. Still, I admire the effort, and I look forward to seeing what Demy might do in the future. This may not be wholly stellar, but it's a decent start for what will hopefully be another fruitful avenue for someone who has had such a long history in cinema, both personally and professionally.

Salma Hayek and Mathieu Demy meet in Mexico because he wants to give her his mother's paintings. His mother left them to her. Were the mother and Hayak friends or more than that? Remy has a girlfriend he is having sex with at the opening. Something happens to him With Hayek. I do not know what. His car is stolen. Hayek has a son. That is the theme that mothers love their sons even Though they can't care for them. The strip club where Hayek works is also a brothel. Hayek is now 57 married to a French billionaire. She gets paid for sex. The owner of the club cuts Demy's ear. At the end Hayek gets the something from his mother. I have no clue what this film is about. Good luck.

Mathieu Demy has made a vanity piece about nothing, except what a charmless pompous and humorless man looks like brooding and boring an audience for hours. This guy leaves his beautiful girlfriend, about whom he is oddly, babyishly equivocal, for a mindless senseless and deeply ugly excursion into SoCal and Mexico, where he makes all the wrong solipsistic empty-headed moves of a spoiled rich reckless and cowardly dope. The director is obviously a rich kid, spoiled, with cinema bloodlines that allow him to shoot self-indulgent nonsense with truly great co-stars. I was embarrassed for them. The film is to self-serious to be hilariously bad, it is just inept and annoying. Sad.

this movie should be retitled 'the masochistic frenchman' - what a self destructive character Demy portrays. truly this story (which is very interesting in concept) is just torn to pieces by the main character stealing every scene and turn in this story! i didn't believe in his characterization at all.

i understand his feeling of abandonment by his mother and the resentment he expressed in having to deal with her estate. but there is not enough background into his personality to support his deep hatred complication. (example - his tossing away of everything in the apartment without care). and just why would he care so much about Lola? a person he has not had contact with for decades! again - not enough character development to support the obsession and misery he endured on her behalf. it's just wasn't believable. and why would he steal the automobile? the telephone conversation he has with his father in which the father psycho analyses his son is just pointless by the time it shows up in the story.

the only shining actor is geraldine chaplin! she is marvelous as the caring but dominating neighbor and not enough of her side of the relationship with the mother is made clear. the writer is too mysterious with his implication that Lola and the mother had something going in their 'friendship'. then the little Mexican boy - what? was that suppose to be Lola's son? not made clear. and the cemetery scene - again - what? sorry this flick is just too full of who, what, when, where, holes; and then he goes back to his lover in France. if you are a person that likes incomplete plot lines - check this movie out!

I saw the movie on TV5 and found it a great film. Why? Well, it's exactly the type of movie that I have lately been interested in. Like the movies of Michelangelo Antonioni, who was an inspiration for my latest novel, and like the movies of Sautet or Godard etc. The French movies from the sixties and seventies, in which not too much is happening (my wife always says, what the hell are you watching? Nothing's happening, there's no plot). Americano also reminded me of Paris Texas by Wim Wenders. Like Paris Texas it has this curious quality of a road movie mixed with certain story telling and autobiographical aspects. Anyway, who wants a straight story? I also liked the actors very much. Apart from that, the images are always fascinating. A star cast for a visual spectacle.