The American Way

'The American Way' is a curious movie, half zany comedy, half political commentary. Sixties survivors Dennis Hopper ('Easy Rider') and Michael J. Pollard ('Bonnie And Clyde') lead a band of Vietnam veterans who broadcast from a pirate TV station located in a B-29 bomber. While negotiating some kind of amnesty/media deal they continue to circle the globe and beam down their programs which mix subversive hijinks and rock'n'roll. Hopper, "The Captain", becomes increasingly irritated with Mrs Westinghouse (Nigel Pegram), an ambitious warmongering politician who aligns herself with the Moral Majority. The Captain decides that he and his comrades last mission will be to discredit her and foil her plans to run for the Senate, and possibly the Presidency. I can't honestly say that this movie is actually all that funny, but it's certainly more entertaining than say 'Rude Awakening', the lame Eric Roberts/Cheech Marin vehicle that similarly deals with 60s idealists encountering the Reaganite 80s. The main reason to watch this is for Dennis Hopper's spirited performance, which is actually much better than the uneven material he has to work with. 'The American Way' is an interesting failure that may appeal to fans of 60s music and pop culture. I wish I could say it was a lot better than it is but even with its many flaws (i.e. it's variable soundtrack which ranges from Hendrix, The Kinks and Alice Cooper to Godawful generic 80s MTV schlock rock) it has quite a few amusing moments and therefore I say it's still worth a rental.

When this was made, the script was a comment on Regan's America and how the Military/Industrial Alliance combined with Fundamentalist Right Wing Churches tried to influence US politics.

Sadly it seems that the points made in this picture are just as valid now as they were then.

Hopper is outstanding as the Captain. He is joined by a top class cast who obviously take great delight in their roles.

I particularly loved the soundtrack and will forever look at the music of Jimi Hendrix in a new light.

Afficionados of the work of "Filthy George" of New York Cable TV fame, will enjoy the sequence which pays tribute to his rather unique "news gathering" techniques.

What else can I say, great story, great script, great cast, great soundtrack - a classic, don't miss any opportunity to see this picture which restored my faith in the ability of the US industry to produce an intelligent, witty and thought provoking movie.

A group of Vietnam War veteran pilots try to discredit an ultra-conservative presidential candidate. Campy, low-brow satire of American politics, right-wing morality and the media. Very inexpensive film will probably appeal to Boomers who were in their youth during the 60's and early 70's. (Rating: B+)

This is the type of cinema I live for. A bizarre 80's political black comedy masterpiece.

In "The American Way" we find ourselves following an eclectic bunch of PTSD suffering Vietnam Veterans aboard a B-29 bomber called the "Uncle Slam". The group is flying low over the USA taking over the airwaves with S&MTV- their pirate television broadcasts of rock and roll mash ups and other dissident material.

"The Captain" is team leader and Producer of S&MTV, played amazingly by Dennis Hopper (RIP). The rest of the crew consists of: Sam, the hunky jet pack-wielding ground technician and journalist; Ace, the Dr. Strangelove like Director that is electric-wheelchair bound with a hook and American Flag tattoo on his bald head; Claude, the Actor who dresses and acts like Tony Montana; Doc, the acid tripping, technical wizard and radarman; Jerry, the possibly schizophrenic pot smoking pilot that may or not be having UFO or God experiences (he's not sure); Minh, the bomb-riding Vietnamese man who does martial arts while watching American movies about Vietnam; and Benedict, the Lando Calrissian helmet wearing cook, who also serves the food and is left to do the most dangerous tasks.

Why are they doing this? Well, The Captain is in constant contact with major media executives trying to work out a broadcast deal for his men and their TV program...oh and...to ensure they won't face any criminal charges, of course.

That is, until they discover that a Thatcher-esque (Michelle Bachmann-esque might be more appropriate) woman named Westinghouse is being groomed for the Presidency. The Captain fears that if this woman is elected President, innocent men are going to be forced into fighting a f**ked up war in South America, much like Vietnam (the war that clearly messed them each up, in one hilarious way or another), so that politicians like Westinghouse can make themselves look "strong".

Originally using the pirate broadcasts as a means to coerce themselves a cushy TV deal, the men shift the purpose of their mission when Westinghouse makes her candidacy official. Their goal now to: "Put this bitch Westinghouse out of business"; their weapon of choice: pirate television.

Their first attack targets a national nightly news broadcast with a smear campaign against Westinghouse. The attack is successful and manages to capture the attention of both the military- who believe The Captain and his men are "Experts of Psychological Warfare"- and Westinghouse herself, who wants them shot out of the sky...

The Captain and his crew refuse to back down- despite the direct threat to their lives- and continue to expose Westinghouse as the fraudulent manipulator she really is. This all culminates in an unexpected and totally hilarious conclusion that should surely convince the masses that Westinghouse is not the right candidate for President of the USA.

This much overlooked and absolutely brilliant hidden gem- both in message and style- must be seen. It is sort of like Brazil meets Network meets Airplane. It satirizes many topics- on both the media and political fronts- that continue to be relevant to this day, such as: how technology and the media has made war seem like a video game; how the masses are manipulated by the tube; how politicians are sold on image as opposed to their stance on the issues; how politicians will wage wars and exploit religion to obtain votes; how right-wing politicians and televangelists make good bedfellows (as they both manipulate the public for their own gain); and how there is a need for activist minded individuals to work together and take the power back, even if it means using extra-legal (but peaceful) means.

Do not pass up the chance to check this film out, it is Highly Recommended. It will have you laughing your ass off and pondering the political message at the same time. 10 out of 10.

Dennis Hopper and Michael J. Pollard (Doc Tesla) lead a crew of misfit Vietnam veterans highly trained in psychological warfare and armed with a B29 equipped as a flying pirate TV station creating havoc for the broadcast networks and authorities as they fly the country on a crusade to bring radical philosophies and classic audiovisuals to a conservative and media brainwashed viewing public.

On the verge of retirement they are compelled to mount one last campaign to destroy a demographically engineered presidential candidate who would see the country brought to war again.

Extensive explorations into concepts of non-violent defiance of authority and pursuit of justice, questioning conventional morality, exposition of criminal activities in the guise of righteousness by righteous people being classed as criminals by a corrupt establishment, existentialist themes, technology and rock music versus violence and force, nature of religious beliefs, political corruption and post Vietnam issues.

Some excellent 60's and 70's music in the soundtrack. Not to be missed.