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4.8/10
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Following a mysterious suicide at Niagara Falls, a low-rent detective unravels a conspiracy to build a revolutionary invention by enigmatic scientist, Nikola Tesla.Following a mysterious suicide at Niagara Falls, a low-rent detective unravels a conspiracy to build a revolutionary invention by enigmatic scientist, Nikola Tesla.Following a mysterious suicide at Niagara Falls, a low-rent detective unravels a conspiracy to build a revolutionary invention by enigmatic scientist, Nikola Tesla.
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what a treat. this little gem of a movie just proves what can be done with a small budget, a great script and a director with a vision. love that it's a throwback and we can have drama, intrigue and a fun, twisty plot and never have to see problems solved with smartphones! it also has a fantastic look and feel. such a love letter to buffalo and to the work of tesla too. it's a blast solving the mystery while you get an education about a great inventor who the world doesn't really know. also, it's great so see so many new faces mixed in with so many veteran actors. you can just tell that it was made with love and care and with great admiration for some of the great noir thrillers of yesteryear.
Well, what can i say, this leading actor has got no charisma, he looks (and is or should be) a tv-movie actor. That's not the only trouble this movie has got though...
More bad: the story is boring. The direction is as well, because there simply is no suspense, no thrill. And Matthew Broderick and Robert Forster only have very short lasting appearances which neither can lift this movie up either anyway.
What a dudd of a movie.
More bad: the story is boring. The direction is as well, because there simply is no suspense, no thrill. And Matthew Broderick and Robert Forster only have very short lasting appearances which neither can lift this movie up either anyway.
What a dudd of a movie.
If there is anyone who loves classic mysteries, but wants something new and exciting, "The American Side" is a must see. When the film starts, you think you know where the story is going, but it quickly becomes something much more complex. Every time you think you've figured out what is going to happen, everything changes and the journey becomes even more compelling. It is thought provoking and suspenseful, and kept me interested from start to finish. Its amazing cast only helped make an already great story wonderful. There were lots of familiar faces, as well as a few new ones, keeping the film well balanced and promising for a great viewing experience. It is a throwback to old classics, while still offering something unique to its viewers.
"That's a gene pool screamin' for chlorine." That is just one of many one liners I enjoyed in this film. And I have to like a middle aged balding guy who writes a film about the designs of Nicola Tesla and places it in his hometown of Buffalo. And he plays the lead - a churlish hardboiled detective (slightly Bruce Willis inspired). Good for you Greg Stuhr! His character reminds me of Bosch - if you have seen that Series.
Buffalo and Niagara Falls make interesting locations. There are a lot of great shots of the Falls. There are four decent female roles which I like. Plus some major talent with Matthew Broderick and a few old stars like Robert Vaughn and Robert Forster, who has 177 credits to his name.
Both cinematography and the sound track are excellent. It is slightly too long. The plot is a somewhat convoluted but I don't care. I like this movie and I like the aspiration of making such a film on a small budget. And would love to see Greg Stuhr playing a detective on one of the cable or network cop shows.
Buffalo and Niagara Falls make interesting locations. There are a lot of great shots of the Falls. There are four decent female roles which I like. Plus some major talent with Matthew Broderick and a few old stars like Robert Vaughn and Robert Forster, who has 177 credits to his name.
Both cinematography and the sound track are excellent. It is slightly too long. The plot is a somewhat convoluted but I don't care. I like this movie and I like the aspiration of making such a film on a small budget. And would love to see Greg Stuhr playing a detective on one of the cable or network cop shows.
This is the third indie film noir I have seen recently, and this is the best so far. It's an entertaining and absorbing 90 minutes, diligently written and directed and with unusually good acting performances by all concerned.
In a nutshell; Nicola Tesla was a prolific and important inventor. One invention, especially, had great importance but no one can find a complete copy of it; only one half of it exists. Private Eye/blackmailer Charlie Paczynski stumbles onto a plot wherein several agencies and countries are involved in a search for the other half. And thereby hangs a tale...
There are two minor flaws to mention; one is an extremely elaborate plot which requires your undivided attention so that you don't lose the thread. The other is the presence of Matthew Broderick, woefully miscast as an unscrupulous corporate CEO. He is too young and babyfaced, totally devoid of menace for the role of the heavy. Moreover, he seems disinterested and half-hearted in his role.
However, if you are a noir fan, go see it. It's worth your time. There are some Dashiell Hammett touches to be found, including a hard-drinking hero and some snappy Hammett dialogue (some of which falls flat). But don't forget to pay attention.
In a nutshell; Nicola Tesla was a prolific and important inventor. One invention, especially, had great importance but no one can find a complete copy of it; only one half of it exists. Private Eye/blackmailer Charlie Paczynski stumbles onto a plot wherein several agencies and countries are involved in a search for the other half. And thereby hangs a tale...
There are two minor flaws to mention; one is an extremely elaborate plot which requires your undivided attention so that you don't lose the thread. The other is the presence of Matthew Broderick, woefully miscast as an unscrupulous corporate CEO. He is too young and babyfaced, totally devoid of menace for the role of the heavy. Moreover, he seems disinterested and half-hearted in his role.
However, if you are a noir fan, go see it. It's worth your time. There are some Dashiell Hammett touches to be found, including a hard-drinking hero and some snappy Hammett dialogue (some of which falls flat). But don't forget to pay attention.
Did you know
- TriviaFilmed with the support of the New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture & Television Development.
- Quotes
Charlie Paczynski: You had me at "death ray."
- SoundtracksFollow The Path Of The Stars
Written by Graham Bell (as Bell), Mickey Gallagher (as Gallagher), Joe Smith (as Smith)
Arranged, Music Direction and Conducted byJohn Scott
Performed by Cilla Black
Courtesy of Parlophone Records Ltd.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV licensing
- How long is The American Side?Powered by Alexa
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- Американская сторона
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- Runtime
- 1h 30m(90 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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