Americano

Kevin Noland makes a fine debut in both writing and directing this colorful, insightful, low-key exploration of the age old Apollonian Dionysian conflict. For a first film, despite some minor technical glitches (overexposed photography at key moments, a soundtrack that eats the dialogue before it is audible), Noland proves himself a keen observer of life, of philosophy, and of character studies. He is definitely an artist to watch.

Chris McKinley (Joshua Jackson in yet another fine performance) has just finished college and is ending his summer holiday in Spain with only three days before he returns to an important corporate position in the US. He is traveling with two friends, Ryan (Timm Sharp) and Michelle (Ruthanna Hopper) who are lovers, and they end their holiday in Pamplona, Spain just as the festival of the bulls is happening. Chris' backpack is stolen and with it his passport, credit cards, all semblances of civilization..., and he plunges out of despair into the wildness of the running of the bulls. He meets two important influences: American expatriate bar owner Riccardo who spouts forth 'live for the moment' concepts, and the beautiful and intoxicating Adela (Leonor Varela) who embodies all that is fascinating about the beauty of Spain. The four young people set out on a hike to fly fish, carouse, and live with nature, and this excursion into Spain's gorgeous countryside affects the foursome: Ryan and Michelle decide to part ways and Chris and Adela...well, the story has a fine ending! Noland respects the viewer and offers his tale of discovery with minimal dialogue, some terrific music, exciting footage of the running of the bulls and bullfights, and some hallucinogenic views of nature. Both Joshua Jackson and Leonor Varela light up the screen. Ruthanna Hopper (Dennis Hopper's daughter) not only acts well, she also has been part of this project since its inception, is one of the producers, and adds a credibility to the story. So despite the occasional technical flaws, this is a little film of joy, a celebration of discovery the important facts of living. Grady Harp

This is an awful failure of a film, one of the worst I have seen in a while. The acting is absolutely abysmal, the story-line a bore, the characters self-absorbed zeros I would never want to meet anywhere, not even at a garage sale. Don't waste your time or money. Let's face it: films about ugly, ego-maniacal young Americans in Pamplona are a wasted effort. The story, told eons ago, doesn't bear repeating. Hemingway did it already, and he did it in a masterful way that the script writer for this film can never hope to match. This film might have been passably interesting had the story been about a critical juncture, occurring somewhere other than a stereotypically red and white bedecked Pamplona, in which the protagonist has to face real dilemmas far more profound than the tawdry "finding one's self" bromide tendered here. A DVD worth labeling and tossing as GARBAGE.

first things first. this is a movie, not a documentary. if you don't know the difference, you shouldn't be involved with a website like this. i have read a lot of comments about how much this movie sucked. i have only this to say. it obviously stuck with people long enough to get online and write a "review" about it. it's always easy to tear a movie apart for what you didn't like about it. i feel sorry for the people who do that though. watching movies is much more enjoyable if you look for things you do like about them. this movie has more than a few redeeming qualities that have been blatantly overlooked in some pretty hateful rants. just to let you in on a few... 1 - the accents aren't perfect. get over it. once you move on you'll listen to what they are saying and not how they sound when they're saying it. there is some pretty clever and realistic dialogue in this movie. 2 - leonor varela is wonderful in this movie. i saw that some were accusing her of overacting the role. i just want to clarify that she is portraying an actress from a small village in spain. and actress playing an actress would seem like overacting to the people who didn't catch that. 3 - the overall message, while maybe elementary in tone, is a good one.

americano deserves at least one watch before it is attacked. it was very enjoyable. not great, but certainly not bad.

I think as a romantic comedy it works quite well, and I think it's a great film for couples to watch together - preferably by candle-light, with some wine and some tapas snacks on hand. Tim Sharp & Ruthanna Hopper were fine as the "comic" couple played against the serious (Jackson & Varela) couple. I'll admit the Dennis Hopper character was a bit of a problem: his portentous oracular pronouncements ("Be wary!") were a bit hard to swallow. The chemistry between Jackson & Varela is real. The cinematography was first rate; the sights & sounds of Spain, of the drunken blow-out that is the running of the bulls are captured quite well indeed. What, for me, made the film completely worthwhile was the presence of beautiful Chilean actress Leonor Varela. She is a fine actress, and has shown herself to be also a first rate comedic actress. A must see for a Spanish beauty fans!

This movie is about three friends, a couple and their writer friend Chris who travel around the world to find themselves and the truth. When they reach Spain their adventure heats up when they meet Adella. Adella and Chris are instantly attracted to each other, she decides to give him a taste of Spain.

From food, beautiful places, music (the soundtrack is absolutely amazing!), and even the famous San Fermin (Pamplona Bull Run). But my favorite scene must be the scene when Adella played by Leonor Varela seduces Chris played by Joshua Jackson. Such a beautiful scene and the song is super hot.