Americanese

Americanese (2006)

  • 67% of critics liked it
    (9 reviews)

  • 29% want to see it
    (51 ratings)

Writer-director Eric Byler adapted his ensemble comedy drama Americanese from Shawn Wong's best-selling 1995 novel, American Knees. The film, like the novel, dramatizes the seriocomic day-to-day experiences of a number of Asian American immigrants in the City of Angels. At the story's center is… More

Unrated, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By
Eric Byler
Written By
Eric Byler, Shawn Wong
Genres
Drama, Romance, Comedy
IFC First Take

Critic Reviews

  • Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times

    Fine, understated performances and the self-assured way that Byler lets the film find its own rhythms, rather than setting into some template, result in a mature film of subtle complexity.

  • Sura Wood, Hollywood Reporter

    A collection of scenes in search of a coherent story, the film's characters don't develop, and plot lines fail to coalesce by the movie's conclusion.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    [Director Eric] Byler deals with characters who have lived their years, learned from them, and try to apply their values to their lives. Their romances are not heedless but wary, and involve a lot of negotiation.

  • Dennis Harvey, Variety

    This diverting, occasionally wry seriocomedy ultimately doesn't add up to a satisfying whole.

  • Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

    It's not the glacial pace that fatigues, but a lack of connection with the characters.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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