Rena, a teen ager living in a small community, is the by-product of parents that, having marrying young, don't have a clue as to how to bring up their children. Rena, not surprisingly, follows what other teens in the same situation have gone through. Her romance with a boy with Kenton, a rich boy produces a sad situation for Rena and her family.
Rena tried unsuccessfully to take her own life, but nothing happens. The next thing this young woman wants to do is to go to her father's picnic that will take place in the prison where he is serving a sentence. Rena wants to tell him about the impending changes in her life. What happens in that fated outing will not only transform Rena's life, but also her brother Jay will comes to terms with a problem that is troubling him, his own homosexuality.
"American Girl" is a dark comedy directed by Jordan Brady. The screen play is by Scott Sandoe. Mr. Brady has given the film a light touch instead of going for a more dramatic take that wouldn't have helped the project.
Jena Malone is a young actress who is a natural for the movies, as proved by her other appearances, notably in "Saved". She carries the movie and makes the viewer feel for her Rena, who in another type of environment and with another family, would have turned out differently. The brother Jay is played by Brad Renfro, another young actor who has been seen in other quirky films. Alicia Witt, who plays Barby, the sarcastic half-sister, doesn't have much to do. Michelle Forbes and Chris Mulkey portray the parents of this confused family. Clifton Collins Jr. has a good opportunity as Buddy, the man that clarifies things for the confused Jay.
The film shows a reality that is seldom seen in other mainstream films in which teens are happy and carefree, which might be right, but they haven't have to deal with what life has given Rena and her family.
Rena tried unsuccessfully to take her own life, but nothing happens. The next thing this young woman wants to do is to go to her father's picnic that will take place in the prison where he is serving a sentence. Rena wants to tell him about the impending changes in her life. What happens in that fated outing will not only transform Rena's life, but also her brother Jay will comes to terms with a problem that is troubling him, his own homosexuality.
"American Girl" is a dark comedy directed by Jordan Brady. The screen play is by Scott Sandoe. Mr. Brady has given the film a light touch instead of going for a more dramatic take that wouldn't have helped the project.
Jena Malone is a young actress who is a natural for the movies, as proved by her other appearances, notably in "Saved". She carries the movie and makes the viewer feel for her Rena, who in another type of environment and with another family, would have turned out differently. The brother Jay is played by Brad Renfro, another young actor who has been seen in other quirky films. Alicia Witt, who plays Barby, the sarcastic half-sister, doesn't have much to do. Michelle Forbes and Chris Mulkey portray the parents of this confused family. Clifton Collins Jr. has a good opportunity as Buddy, the man that clarifies things for the confused Jay.
The film shows a reality that is seldom seen in other mainstream films in which teens are happy and carefree, which might be right, but they haven't have to deal with what life has given Rena and her family.