American Star

There's a little mystery here but it should not be listed as a thriller. The best part of the movie was the interaction with Max, the boy from the hotel. Great acting and not a bad story but slow... really slow. Mislabeled as a mystery thriller.

The main characters opposite personalities balance each other out for a beautiful film that leaves you at peace. Which is exactly what the main character was looking for all along. His counterparts wanderlust and free spirit is well accompanied to his wisdom, hardships and his yearning to finally stand still - making for a striking story of acceptance, insight and discovery of an aging man.

Put aside your phones because a close watch is needed to appreciate the subtlety of the cinematic style of AMERICAN STAR. Gonzalo López-Gallego’s direction is so contemplative and Nacho Faerna’s script is so pared-down, you wonder at first if anything is happening at all. But then you catch on, and the story reveals itself as a deeply emotional study on survivor’s guilt. We see how it is possible for one person to destroy multiple generations of lives by denying the life he himself could have lived if he had allowed it. There is very little dialogue. McShane is known for his voice but in this film his every thought is expressed on his rugged, handsome face. He carries the film almost single-handedly with his unique charisma. And for a man in his 80s, he is incredibly fit. The rest of the small cast is perfectly cast, each actor stands out in his or her way representing aspects of the family McShane’s character might have had in another time and place.

An aging assassin and a sinking wreckage comes comes face to face with realities in a tiny spot off the coast of the great cradle. It's a thriller no doubt but the movie has it's spellbinding ways to distract audience and suddenly snap them off with the killer's nerve tense encounters. Excellent performance by the cast. Stunning visuals of the Fuerteventura. Great cinematography that captures the lonely coasts of late age and the dusty desert of it's present existence. Love and lost is for soldiers of world that's what the message this tale brings to us. American star is a hitman tale from a lovingly unique and a heartbreaking perspective.

2.75 STARS - I feel like 3 stars is a bit much, to be honest. This film dragged more often than not, and I didn't get the point of some characters (like the little boy he befriended). The location itself seemed to be almost as much of a character as the humans. The stuck/sinking ship was an interesting landmark, but the timeframe was all wrong. There were some decent enough moments, but the momentum of the story just felt bogged down by this film being longer than it needed to be. It probably would have worked better as a short film. Ian McShane did fine; he was the main reason I watched this. Video review: https://youtube.com/shorts/NPB9ZL7WPMg

So…..long….and….boring…..!!! The relationships are implausible, there is no storyline, what a complete waste of time! The only saving grace is the scenery. Honestly, how do these people get the money to produce such shitty movies?

Despite its ambitions to probe profound themes such as isolation, regret, and the ephemeral nature of life, American Star is somewhat marred by its protracted pacing and a tendency towards minimalism in both sound and dialogue. The film aspires to a certain artistic gravitas, which it achieves to a degree, but the slow burn and lack of rewatch value might not resonate with everyone. While it's not without merit, its introspective journey through the life of a man on the fringe might not beckon for a second viewing.

I love everything this guy is in but.....This was soooo slow and dull.

Woeful. Slow and boring. Literally nothing interesting happens until the last 10 mins. Total waste of time.

Ian McShane at his best, a somewhat methodical film but all the same extremely enjoyable and easy to watch.