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.

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.

A light movie that captures the pleasure of being a free rider. The main plot could avoided some cliches but at the end still a good entertainment. Recommend for riders

I was looking forward to this film, and I was very disappointed. Not one interaction between the characters was realistic. Every woman was infatuated with any one of them. I don't know any guy who scores every time. His daughter was angry as he left, but thrilled when he returns with no explanation. Cops are super villains to the point of being absurd. Main character lost his wife weeks again and has the hots for some woman he meets on the road and accepts a date with her. Group of super hot chicks on bikes come upon the scene. Yeah, that happens everyday. Silly bar fight scene. Main character meets a son he never met and right after they are both in tears. Then they both cry and Tom (the lead character) says, "I need a hug!" Really? I almost laughed. The acting was actually good, but the script they had to work with was ridiculous.