American Movie documents the story of filmmaker Mark Borchardt, his mission, and his dream. Spanning over two years of intense struggle with his film, his family, financial decline, and spiritual crisis, American Movie is a portrayal of ambition, obsession, excess, and one man's quest for the American Dream.
Directed by Chris Smith
underdog
obsession
wisconsin
beer
ambition
Rank
#11 in 1999·#601 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
4.2 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Mark Borchardt
Filmmaker
Mike Schank
Friend / Musician
Billy Crystal
Academy Awards Emcee (uncredited)
Crew
Chris Smith
Director
Mike Schank
Original Music Composer
Barry Poltermann
Editor
Chris Smith
Director of Photography
Jim McKay
Co-Producer
Michael Stipe
Co-Producer
Chris Smith
Producer
Popular Reviews
228 reviews
Anthony GiglioPRO
9.0★ · 05/05/26
coven sounds like oven
coven sounds like oven
Reece J
8.0★ · 04/20/26
ABC Movie Genre Challenge: U for UNSCRIPTED — AMERICAN MOVIE
❛❛ I’m 30 years old, and in about 10 seconds… I got to start cleaning up somebody’s shit, man. ❜❜What a film. Funny, painfully real, and filled with the little truths of life only found in the day to day. I keep thinking about Mark’s, “I don't wanna end up being a nothing,” and Joan’s, “He wants to be somewhere where he's not. But then, don't most people want to be somewhere where they're not?” What truth there is in this documentary about one’s character and fortitude and the will of their dreams—even when everyone else is laughing (including some of the people reviewing this, mind you.) How great it is to constantly better yourself, and just keep on keeping on.
Full applause. Thank you, Chris Smith! 🎞️
ABC Movie Genre Challenge: U for UNSCRIPTED — AMERICAN MOVIE
❛❛ I’m 30 years old, and in about 10 seconds… I got to start cleaning up somebody’s shit, man. ❜❜What a film. Funny, painfully real, and filled with the little truths of life only found in the day to day. I keep thinking about Mark’s, “I don't wanna end up being a nothing,” and Joan’s, “He wants to be somewhere where he's not. But then, don't most people want to be somewhere where they're not?” What truth there is in this documentary about one’s character and fortitude and the will of their dreams—even when everyone else is laughing (including some of the people reviewing this, mind you.) How great it is to constantly better yourself, and just keep on keeping on.
Full applause. Thank you, Chris Smith! 🎞️
jess
8.0★ · 03/20/26
i feel so maternal towards mike shank
i feel so maternal towards mike shank
Ingp
10.0★ · 02/27/26
😢
😢
Matt
8.0★ · 02/26/26
I love how innocent and pure Mike is and how he can just put down the most insane scream take at the same time
I love how innocent and pure Mike is and how he can just put down the most insane scream take at the same time
