American Dresser

Despite its low budget, this is a beautiful movie. I've read some of the comments, and I think they are unfair. This is not a "Sons of Anarchy" type of movie. If anyone is expecting something like gangsta b******, then they shouldn't even watch it. This is a drama about family, friendship, true love, life decisions, and of course love for motorcycles. Generally, a true refreshment compared to the sea of films made according to the same template. My rating is a strong 6, and that's only because of the low budget, but on the other hand, that gives it some charm and makes it simple and beautiful.

Upon his wife's (a beautifully preserved Gina Gershon) untimely death, a widower (a craggy Tom Berenger) sets out on his hog to look for America, from California to the New York island in reverse, and his 25 year old son by a former mistress, accompanied by his best chum and former comrade in arms in 'Nam, (David Keith). En route they speak and find every cliche' such a premise could possibly offer. Poorly written, directed, and self-starring, as the lone wolf tagalong biker stud, natch, novice Carmine Cangialosi. Veterans Berenger and Keith do manage to pull off some decent interaction as life-long intimates, but Keith's classical diction while spouting his hot-headed character's strained outrage sounds ridiculous coming from the ex army petty officer and inveterate down-n-dirty hog rider he's supposed to be, and Berenger also does some phony bits I can't believe he'd have done if he'd not been (mis)directed to. Somewhere in the middle Bruce Dern makes a brief appearance as a down-and-out former cycling badass.

Yes, of course, they do ride through Monument Valley. And, from what I gather as a layman, only from the song over the credits, a "dresser" is apparently cyclist lingo for motorcycle.

I really looked forward to seeing this movie. I ride and I was hoping for a good biker movie as there aren't too many, but this was a horrendous film. Poor acting, awful writing, rediculous situations, the only good parts were the cut scenes when they were riding down the road. Nice scenery, beautiful bikes and no dialogue, if only the whole move was just bikes riding down the road, passing amazing scenery, this movie would have been a whole lot better.

This was a good film - a feel good film that lightly addresses issues related to family, friendship, aging, and social issues. For a $3 million film, it is a winner. I expect we're going to see much more of Cangialosi as his films continue to improve and he gets the resources to put some more money in his projects. His directing is very good in this film, and his ability to engage Tom Berenger, Keith David and Bruce Dern shows that some experienced actors have faith in his ability to produce and direct a good flick.

There is a lot you could like in this movie if it had been made by a better director and had a stronger plot. The acting is fine, Berenger and David are good but are strung up by a movie that just doesn't know where it is going. It strives for drama but is not strong enough in its plotting to develop the drama or the plot strands and throws in events that just don't make sense. The direction is week and as the director is also one of the key leads, it comes across as too much of a vanity project. There are some positives: the two leads are strong and it's a pleasure to watch them. Also, the bikes are great and if you are a biker (as I am) then you'll probably enjoy the film cause you'll understand the thrill of a long bike tour. So if you are then this is not a bad way to while away 90 mins. However, if you're not, then this film will leave you frustrated because there is a lot here that could have been so much better.