American Love: A chaotic mess in the French countryside

Is it worth the watch?

Look, if you are the kind of person who needs a tight, well-oiled script to enjoy a movie, skip American Love. You’ll just get frustrated. But if you have a soft spot for old-school, slightly mean-spirited comedies where the main character is basically a walking disaster? You might actually have a decent time.

It’s not exactly high art. Honestly, it feels like it was filmed in a bit of a rush, and the leading lady’s prejudice against everything French is played so broadly it’s almost impressive she didn't get slapped by half the cast.

The vibe

Our lead arrives in France like a wrecking ball. She’s got this bizarre, stubborn attitude that makes you wonder why she even booked the flight. The way she treats the locals—especially those who are clearly just trying to get through their day—is painfully awkward to watch. It’s like watching someone trip over their own shoelaces for ninety minutes.

There’s a scene about midway through—you know the one—where she’s trying to navigate a simple conversation at a cafe. She’s so busy holding onto her own ego that she misses the point entirely. It’s a small moment, but it tells you everything you need to know about the movie. It isn't trying to be deep. It’s just trying to be a spectacle.

Random thoughts from the couch

• The supporting cast is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Honestly, the French actors look like they’re just waiting for the cameras to stop so they can go have a real glass of wine.
• The pacing is weird. It lurches forward and then just stops dead for minutes at a time.
• I kept thinking about The Wild Party while watching this. At least that one had a bit more snap to the dialogue.
• Why are there so many doors in these scenes? Someone is always walking in or out, and it feels like a farce that forgot to be funny.
• The lighting in the second act is surprisingly flat. It’s like they ran out of bulbs or just stopped caring about the shadows halfway through.

It gets better when the movie stops trying to be a 'romance' and just leans into the chaos. There is a specific reaction shot near the end—someone’s face just goes totally blank—that had me laughing for a solid minute. It was probably a mistake, but it was the most honest part of the whole film. 🍷

Anyway, don't overthink this one. It’s an uneven, dusty relic. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need on a Tuesday night.