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The Myth of the American Sleepover

Play trailer Poster for The Myth of the American Sleepover 2011 1h 33m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Four young people search for love and adventure on the last weekend of the summer.
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The Myth of the American Sleepover

The Myth of the American Sleepover

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Critics Consensus

Somber and sweet, The Myth of the American Sleepover authentically evokes adolescence -- and all of the awkwardness and heartbreak that comes with it.

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Critics Reviews

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Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard 08/31/2012
3/5
Nicely acted, beautifully shot, ultimately disappointing ... Go to Full Review
Henry Barnes Guardian 08/30/2012
3/5
Writer/director David Robert Mitchell's sweet, sexless drama. Go to Full Review
Nigel Andrews Financial Times 08/30/2012
4/5
David Robert Mitchell's moodily magical first feature. Go to Full Review
Shannon Gramas Spectrum Culture 03/31/2022
What The Myth of the American Sleepover loses in modulation it certainly makes up for in good intentions. Go to Full Review
Patrick Gamble CineVue 02/02/2019
4/5
Mitchell has successfully created an admirable indie effort which truly presents the paradox of youth -- sexual awakening coupled with crippling insecurity. Go to Full Review
Giovanni Fazio Japan Times 08/24/2016
3/5
Sleepover is evocative but a little underwhelming. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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isla s 09/02/2022 This is a very laidback film, focussing on quieter, sometimes heartfelt moments shared between teenagers who were (or some of which were) childhood friends and it features a nice sense of nostalgia. I'd be surprised if people couldn't relate to the situations the characters find themselves in, with peer pressure playing a big part in this coming of age film, set in a sleep little town. One or two scenes made me think of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I wouldn't say this is greatly memorable in the same way as that film was but I did like it quite a lot, for the subtle/laidback feel it has and also for the optimistic/nostalgic tone it has. I'd definitely recommend this film, yes. See more 02/06/2022 In some ways, I really enjoyed this. I like understated movies with interesting characters that take their time to let situations unfold. This is one of those where many people will say, "Nothing happens." Yet it can't be denied that several of the characters are in a different place (mentally/emotionally) at the end than they were at the beginning of the film. It's just that movies like this have a way of sneaking up on you; seeming to meander and wander but, when it's over and you look back, you realize, "Actually, quite a LOT happened." I like tales that sneak up on me like that. On the other hand, the very even-toned way everyone speak, complete with strange pauses between lines of dialog, starts to get on my nerves. It's as if everyone was in the same low-energy mood. "Understated" doesn't have to mean, "All the characters seem either bored or depressed or both." In some ways it's like "American Graffiti" if that movie ran out of gas and was running on fumes. I'd just prefer a slightly more fun ride. The elements were all there for a good romp! But it's deliberately smothered. See more 03/28/2021 Really moved me, what a motherfucking debut See more 08/21/2017 After being hugely impressed with Mitchell's 'It Follows' I thought I'd search this out his earlier effort. There's nothing bad about it per se but it's very inconsequential. The film so desperately wants to be like 'Dazed and Confused' but it's nowhere near the league of that classic of the genre. Instead we follow the teenagers around fairly listlessly as they get involved in mostly unbelievable setups. See more 06/09/2017 This is a fun coming of age story, with no weird switcheroo bits of some sad shit happening, just the wistful, elusive feeling of chasing a girl on that last night of summer, the little parties, the little cliques, etc., all the stuff that makes up a small town growing up experience. Well worth tracking down, while it's not going to change your life, it's a solid way to spend an hour and a half. Recommended. See more 02/23/2016 Slow and boring, if this movie moved any slower it would have gone backwards. See more Read all reviews
The Myth of the American Sleepover

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Movie Info

Synopsis Four young people search for love and adventure on the last weekend of the summer.
Director
David Robert Mitchell
Producer
Adele Romanski
Screenwriter
David Robert Mitchell
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Roman Spring Pictures
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 22, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 2, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$39.0K
Runtime
1h 33m