American Folk

PG

Released Jan 26, 2018

1h 39m

Drama

Music

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American Folk: Trailer 1

1:55

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77%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

71%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

After 9/11, two strangers who are stranded in LA embark on a road trip to get back to New York.

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Critics Consensus

American Folk may not wholly meet its ambition as a statement on a mourning United States, but charming performances and a stellar soundtrack make it a modest pleasure.

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Katie Walsh

Los Angeles Times

The songs are lovely, and the first-time actors give performances that grow warmer as the film progresses

Jan 27, 2018

Full Review

Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

The whole thing was a bad idea that only genius could've rescued. Maybe not even then.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 26, 2018

Full Review

Christopher Kompanek

Washington Post

Sung mainly by real-life folk musicians Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth, the songs lend the film an emotional resonance that the forced dialogue often struggles to achieve.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 23, 2018

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

There is a remarkable intimacy that weaves itself into every moment of writer/director David Heinz's indie gem American Folk.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 2, 2020

Full Review

Dominic Griffin

Spectrum Culture

It's basically Once but on 9/11.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 17, 2019

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

Contrivances threaten to derail the otherwise subtle, unassuming charm in this exploration of Americana.

Jan 25, 2019

Full Review

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C M

Nice cinematography, good real musicians in starring roles. Some colorful characters along the innocuous highway where everyone pulls together in a time of national crisis and folk music heeds the call of the heroes' journey to rescue and heal our national and [inter]personal divides. It seemed weirdly ideological without ever really making a point. But, what was the story? Was it supposed to be a love story?--kind of yes, but not really. What happened? Very little. They were both trying to get to New York and, after meeting a few people along the way, they did. Consequently, it often felt that the movie was at a standstill, with little plot and character development to drive it forward, the script kind of paralleling the continually breaking down Chevy Van.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/01/24

Full Review

Storm W

Underrated. Good story. Excellent acting.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/18/22

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Audience Member

Scenic movie. Great music. Relaxing. Great reflection of America in a time of disaster.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I've seen this compared to Once and I don't quite get it aside from its about folk musicians. That's about where the similarities end. I would not watch this movie again or recommend to anyone unless I don't like them and want to play a mean joke. Let's not bring the folk back.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

andy p

folk music lovers: don't waste your time.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

My gawd I loved this movie! I still haven't figured out what exactly connected me to this film yet, and there were some corny parts but all in all it's now one of my faves. The acting was great, the music was wonderful, the story was different and well written particularly considering the subject matter surrounding 9/11. It wasn't hokey, or in your face, but clever, sensitive, a little though-provoking and just lovely. I am now a fan of both of the lead actors and their music, and it was a beautiful way to be brought back to a genre of music I truly love. I look forward to seeing more work from this writer, director, and the two leads as well. I think they're both beautiful actors and have a great future ahead, even though they're amazing, successful musicians in their own right. And all of the other characters in the film were well cast. Well done! #BringBackTheFolk

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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David Heinz

Director

Joe Purdy

Elliott

Amber Rubarth

Joni

Krisha Fairchild

Scottie

David Fine

Dale

Bruce Beatty

Mike

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American Folk: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

After 9/11, two strangers who are stranded in LA embark on a road trip to get back to New York.

Director: David Heinz
Producer: Aaron Downing, Derek Sivers
Screenwriter: David Heinz
Distributor: Good Deed Entertainment
Production Co: Vanishing Angle
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements and Language)
Genre: Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 26, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 26, 2018
Runtime: 1h 39m

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