The Good American

Name: The Good American
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2009-02-09
Duration: 1 h 32 min
Rating: 7.6
Cast: Tom Weise, Keith Richmond, Alex Baresi

2009
1h 32m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

YOUR RATING

Documentary

Jochen Hick's film portrays Tom Weise, the producer of the HustlaBall, an event originally created in order to encourage the acceptance of male prostitutes, but also to launch a rent boy we... Read allJochen Hick's film portrays Tom Weise, the producer of the HustlaBall, an event originally created in order to encourage the acceptance of male prostitutes, but also to launch a rent boy website. After his parents split and, having lost all contact with them, this slightly-built... Read allJochen Hick's film portrays Tom Weise, the producer of the HustlaBall, an event originally created in order to encourage the acceptance of male prostitutes, but also to launch a rent boy website. After his parents split and, having lost all contact with them, this slightly-built former student of politics decides to go to New York at the beginning of the 1990s. Being... Read all

Director
- Jochen Hick
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

YOUR RATING

Director
- Jochen Hick
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos17

+ 11

User reviews4

7.648

Featured reviews

10sarahsunghaelee

Great Perspective and Insight into RentBoy

The film follows the true story of an amazing gay man who helped to build the iconic Hustle Ball and RentBoy website. Tom Weise is sweet, raw, and honest in this film about his work, his sexuality, his struggles with HIV, his battles with his citizenship status, his family relations, and his beautiful love life. He is one of those rare humans who has overcome life's challenges with an inspiring perspective. The film also explores the perspectives and experiences of several escorts, gives you insight into the Hustle Ball parties and the day to day of managing Rentboy.com. Incredibly entertaining, thoughtful, and insightful. Highly recommended film!

10kdurquiza

An intimate portrayal of one mans American Dream

What is it to be an American?

The Good American looks at this questions through the lens of Tom Weise - an immigrant from Germany to the U.S. - who finds his niche in the most unlikely of the places. Mr. Weise is a lovable protagonist who leans on his determination, smarts, and huge heart to navigate his way through a country full of contradictions. Along the way Mr. Weise finds love and blossoms into a savvy businessman.

The film examines issues of immigration and assimilation, the male escort industry, entrepreneurship, and being gay in the 90's and 00's.

A must-see for any American. I loved it!

10tatirabellmusic

This film is so good..

It's so good. So rich.. so lovely how the sexuality of the parties is balanced by the personal aspects of the couple's journey and their relationship. Such a touching love story and a bright hopeful look at HIV. The outlook on the relationship with the parents is brilliant too, Tom's life attitude in general is simply inspiring in the face of adversity. Also so entertaining as a story! And what an exposé for sex rights, really such a rich film in so many different aspects.. Big thumbs up!

10janicestaab

A must see!

A beautiful documentary that uses extensive footage and interviews done over a long period of time explore they complexity of running a thriving business in the sex industry, being an immigrant in the US and abroad, living with HIV, homosexuality, moving forward with life, and love.

I never knew the history and popularity of Rentboy before watching this film and it was fascinating to hear the perspectives of both the escorts and the business owners. I also really enjoyed watching the relationships between the people in the film grow over time.

A must see!