American Hero

So now we know what it's like when a science-fiction film doesn't have a plot to save the planet, where the hero is not in a position to save humanity and so on. The film tries to, in fact, show that an American hero is not someone that saves the day from villainy. It's more focused on showing that an American hero is someone that quits drugs, stops smoking, becomes sober, gets his act together, helps the community, provides for his son etc. So, yeah, I get that, and it's cool that the film attempts this, but I feel it is the wrong approach (especially when the trailer indicated more of a spectacle). About the most heroic thing he does is disrupt a local street gang that sells dope to kids. This is film, the medium that can do just about anything, and you are using cool effects, but you're applying them to such a low-key story. It is frustrating. I'd have been cool with all of it as long as there was a final pay-off with Melvin having a) more of a motive to deal with the thugs, and b) more of a threat to deal with.

As it is, it is a decent film, but I wish Love would have had a more ambitious vision. And the effects are rather shoddy at times - which I wouldn't have brought up if the film went the way I would have liked. But a lot of it seems aimless, with Melvin just getting pissed or high. And the documentary construct that the film begins with is not maintained, often turning it on as and when it helps the plot. It is a shame because this could have been a very good film.

B-