Americano 2011

A.O. Scott, New York Times: It is wistful and nostalgic, and at the same time full of restless curiosity. Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: Demy leans heavily on a cinematic legacy that also seems to hold him back. Read more

David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter: The primary appeal of Americano lies in witnessing the attempt of a famous progeny to forge his own creative path, as Demy's struggle with artistic inheritance resonates throughout unmoored Martin's voyage between past and present. Read more

Mark Jenkins, NPR: The film's appeal has less to do with plot than mood. Demy balances his father's romanticism and his mother's naturalism, taking cues from both. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Scenes of the director as a school-age boy in a Varda film are haunting, but end up simply sparking a desire to see Varda's work. It may take time for the son to catch his own wave. Read more

Farran Smith Nehme, New York Post: While Hayek isn't bad, Lola is a stock character, and very little that transpires after her arrival recovers the interest so beautifully constructed in the beginning. Read more

David Fear, Time Out: The wounded characters eventually slouch toward redemption; the movie they're in, however, isn't nearly as lucky. Read more

Peter Debruge, Variety: Though Demy's approach breaks no new ground, directorially speaking, Martin's personal journey finds a fresh angle on a universal piece of wisdom. Read more

Melissa Anderson, Village Voice: Americano, which Demy also wrote and stars in, is an ambivalent, occasionally touching work of homage to his parents, yet one whose clumsiness only underscores the superiority of their directly quoted films. Read more