American Terrorist

I have to say that, to me, there's an almost prophetic feel to this movie. I was immediately really excited, as I had a sense of what the movie was going for - a warning of what could happen in our country under the right conditions. I applaud this film because it is a lesson that is extremely important but not well understood. The issue of extremism and fundamentalism was handled very well. However, the real issue and prophetic warning of this movie was not about extremism at all, but about how our citizens are capable of going collectively insane over a tragedy and throwing away our freedoms in the name of safety, and the tragic consequences of such a short-sited decision.

May I begin? This movie is horrible. It begins as stock footage of the World Trade Centres mid attack from which I can presume was not filmed by any of the cast and crew, followed by overwhelmingly cheesy, loud, and obnoxious sound effects. It supposedly takes place in New York City in October 2001, shortly after the 9/11 attacks yet all the footage of the protagonist walking outside is of modern day New York City. For example, a 2018 model Toyota cab, hot dog stands with the LED advertising, and visible background pedestrians with iPhones. Furthermore, in my already current state of confusion after just seeing the first 20 minutes, I was absolutely lost thanks to the protagonists roommate, his brother. The brother walks out in a hazmat suit and there's no explanation for the proceeding 20 minutes, even as the protagonist begins suiting up himself in their studio appartement in NYC. To continue, I wasn't made aware they were brothers for a long amount of time, I only figured that out on my own when the protagonist invites his girlfriend over, which is a complete cliche all in itself. Moreover, the scenes which are set to be tense are unable to make me feel in the moment. They lack the proper filming techniques and audio/visual effects such as various types of sound effects and filming angles that make up the majority of celebrated Hollywood films. As the film comes to a close, the girlfriend and the the antagonist leave in the same fashion and yet we are given no explanation on what happened to the protagonist and his brother. Did they get arrested? We don't know. The film ends there. It was a simply terrible mashup of cliches and confusion. The only thing I enjoyed about that movie was the popcorn I ate. Don't waste your money and time watching this.

This is a drinking movie. Support the 1st responders. Every time the actors drink we drink with them.

In an age of film distractions, i am glad a film has the guts to use these actors and an icon of a city in order to engross the viewer in a tale of morality. This is not a bubble gum film wchich veers away from humanity, instead it is a film of extraordinary consequence. Especially following 9/11 and the distraught and cynical citizens that have been created as a result, it's is a jewel amidst the ferocity of stupidity and eye candy out there. Without playing to our sympathies and insulting our intellect, it challenges not only the viewer, but all members of life who choose to seek answers... A movie that not only should have been made a long time ago, but it is also a movie that needed to be made.

Somewhere in here there is a very good (maybe great) film, but it needs to add 20-30 minutes, at the top, at climax and maybe even add an epilogue too.

That being said, fine performance by Peter Cambor and i appreciate this film was not preachy (which given the subject it could've been) Peter gives a brilliant performance as a larger than life, hothead trader, consumed by rage and fear battling the demons of ptsd and survivor's guilt while surveying from his wall street penthouse perch the destruction of his own life and of the city below.