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American Folk

Play trailer 1:55 Poster for American Folk PG Released Jan 26, 2018 1h 39m Drama Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 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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American Folk

American Folk

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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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Critics Reviews

View All (21) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review Todd Jorgenson Cinemalogue Contrivances threaten to derail the otherwise subtle, unassuming charm in this exploration of Americana. Jan 25, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (9) audience reviews
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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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
Fiona Walsh Heinz, Matt Miller
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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