Directed and written by: Tony Tost
Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Paul Walter Hauser, Halsey, Simon Rex, Eric Dane, Gavin Maddox Bergman, Christopher Kriesa, and Zahn McClarnon
Runtime: 107 minutes
‘Americana’: Tost’s feature film debut is a wild, violent yarn that ties in colorful characters and an elusive shirt
A Ghost Shirt.
The definition of Americana in Merriam-Webster is - materials concerning or characteristic of America, its civilization, or its culture.
In director/writer Tony Tost’s wild and violent crime story, his first feature film, the aforementioned article of clothing – a relic from the Lakota people - is a slice of Americana, and an assortment of colorful, memorable South Dakota (although filmed in New Mexico) characters hope to secure a massive payday.
In a 2023 interview with (YouTube) “The Successful Screenwriter”, Tost said, “Tarantino and The Coen Brothers are obviously so storytelling-baked into my DNA.”
Like in just about any Quentin Tarantino film, Tost’s on-screen players frequently engage in lengthy exposition to help define their personalities and highlight their motivations. “Americana” includes a non-linear element, a catchy soundtrack with current and way-back-when tunes, and sudden bursts of carnage that explode (sometimes) out of nowhere from both disreputable and (supposedly) virtuous characters.
“Americana” also breathes in modest western locales, like in “Blood Simple” (1984), where felonious plans are quietly considered and debated in pubs and humble abodes.
The movie first introduces us to Mandy (Halsey, the pop singer), her younger “brother”, Cal (Gavin Maddox Bergman), and her boorish boyfriend, Dillon (Eric Dane). Straightaway, Dillon gins up nasty vibes towards the elementary school-aged Cal and Mandy, which results in a pair of violent episodes. This scene introduces us to Cal’s tireless insistence that he is actually Sitting Bull, just reincarnated, and this Caucasian kid frequently carries a bow and arrow and always dons a blue war bonnet minus the feathers.
Proceeding in a chapter format, we are whisked across town to a diner where Lefty Ledbetter (Paul Walter Hauser), a stout, gentle, soft-spoken fella (with a cowboy hat and full beard) speaks from the heart (with Cliff Notes handy), and Penny Jo (Sydney Sweeney), a waitress with a stutter, but with dreams of living in Nashville and singing country music, listens.
These acquaintances are a pair of sweet, kind souls, and they both share the passive quality of allowing life to run them over. However, when they learn of a priceless Lakota Ghost Shirt running around town, they grab life by the horns and attempt to poach it for themselves.
In contrast to Dillon, Roy (Simon Rex), a greedy collection dealer, Fun Dave (Joe Adler), and Hiram Starr (Christopher Kriesa), a ruthless businessman with cult-leader intentions, Lefty, Penny Jo, Mandy, and Cal are righteous protagonists, but not entirely.
No one in this movie is free of sin, not even Cal.
Everyone mentioned, but Hiram partakes in a race to “capture the flag” for this elusive garment, and add Ghost Eye (Zahn McClarnon) to the mix, who simply wishes to return the shirt to his people.
The entire cast superbly dives into their respective roles, and Sweeney and Hauser’s vulnerabilities, Halsey’s fight, Bergman’s singular focus, and McClarnon’s quiet, steadfast determination are the mesmerizing highlights across the 107-minute runtime.
As the search marches on, some participants/combatants courteously inquire about retrieving or paying for this particular apparel. Ignore these pleasantries because force – in the form of firearms and other weapons – will be used to secure the Native American attire.
Despite rooting for Mandy, Cal, Lefty, Penny Jo, and Ghost Eye, it’s truly anyone’s guess who will win the day, because in this unpredictable labyrinth of ragtag desperation, the villains seem to have an equal possibility of raising the clothing trophy.
The Ghost Shirt may be the most obvious and celebrated piece of Americana in “Americana”, but before the film’s conclusion, so are hilarious sight gags, a collection of walking wounded and lethally wounded, a sidebar of atrocious abuse, a pseudo-“Kill Bill: Vol. 2” compound, and a genuine outpouring of on-screen and audience emotion.
Jeff’s ranking
3.5/4 stars
