So for today’s review, we check out American Night, a film that is in the genre of ner-noir and is set in New York City’s somewhat corrupt contemporary art world.
After the theft of Warhol’s ‘Marilyn’, a series of unexpected events turns an art dealer’s life upside down as he fights with the ruthless head of the New York Mafia, Michael Rubino (Emile Hirsch), for money, art and power with some twists and turns along the way.
After the opening part of the film with the introduction to the characters, the story moves along with some moments of flashbacks to twist your ideas of what is going on, the short opening part titled “Art + Life” we move to part two which takes us back before the part one, giving us that sort of Memento feeling that we are backwards to go forwards with the overall story that is contained in American Night.
The second part brings us more about John Kaplan (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and him trying to juggle his life with the mob connections and his talents as an art forger with his love Sarah Flores (Paz Vega), this part takes us down the rabbit hole of where Kaplan’s decisions take him.
The mid part of the film does drag on a bit as it is mainly about Kaplan and everything he is trying to balance and the problems he is having with relationships, but it works for the sense that something is going to be happening to characters thanks to the obsession of Rubino (Hirsch) trying to get back the “Pink Marilyn”.
The last part of the film, “Art + Life = Chaos” brings things together for the last 30 minutes or so and you just know that not everything will go to plan for everyone, which kind of reminded me of Snatch in some way, Shakey (Fortunato Cerlino) was a bit of a Borris The Blade.
American Night has a running time of just over two hours and at times it does feel that it is dragging its heels, the film isn’t only action-packed and that works for the content material, but with a star-studded cast of Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors / Vikings), Emile Hirsch (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood), Jeremy Piven (Mr Selfridge / Entourage), Hollywood hard-man Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs / Kill Bill) and Paz Vega (Rambo: Last Blood / The OA).
The film also marks the feature-length directorial debut for Italian director, writer and producer, Alessio Della Valle. Pop music fans will also be able to spot singer Anastacia, who appears in the film as well as writing and performing the film’s lead song.
American Night will be available on Digital Download from 7th February
A Neo-noir set in the New York Contemporay Art World
Movie title: American Night
Movie description: A courier carrying Andy Warhol's famous "Pink Marilyn" arrives in New York City. Art and life collide - as John Kaplan tries to juggle the mob and his talent as an art forger with his love for Sarah Flores - and chaos ensues.
Date published: February 2, 2022
Country: UK
Duration: 2h 3m
Director(s): Alessio Della Valle
Actor(s): Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Emile Hirsch, Paz Vega
Genre: Thriller
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
