Jack Scott directed American Woman in a small, blue-collar town in Pennsylvania. We meet Debra, a 32-year-old woman whose teenage daughter went missing, leaving her to raise her infant grandson alone.
The story is told over 11 years, from when her daughter vanishes, through the trials and tribulations of subsequent years looking for closure, leading to the long-awaited discovery of the truth. In the movie trailer, we get a slight glimpse of the truth.
Scott’s directing credits are minimal, though he directed Welcome to the Rileys.
The screenplay is by Brad Ingelsby, whose writing credits include Out of the Furnace, starring Christian Bale, and Run All Night, starring Liam Neeson.
They screened the movie at TIFF, and the reviews were positive. The cast also includes Christina Hendricks and Aaron Paul.
The movie clip “Please Set Down” seems random, but the scene shows how tormented Debra is over her daughter’s disappearance. She is accusing someone, but it is hard to tell who because the sound is slightly off.
The following movie clip shows the positive aspect of the movie. Sure. There are some lows but some highs, which makes a good movie. It is a fun clip to watch.
The following two clips contrast with each other. I am unsure who Debra is talking to in the kitchen, but the moment is decisive, and two actresses pull it off. The editing is excellent because it’s so intense. I am guessing the scene is with her daughter before she disappears, but I am unsure because the season isn’t right.
The following clip is a brutal scene for Miller, who plays Debra. But it would be best if you gave the little boy credit for hanging in with her anguish. He is with her, believing it and sympathetic.
The following two clips reveal her daughter’s attitude toward her son’s father. She is immature and not taking her life all too seriously. The other clip is Debra’s grandson as a teenager and at least a decade since her daughter disappeared.
I saw the movie the other night. The acting is excellent, but there are not enough highs to stress the lows. So, when we hit the movie’s most depressing point, it does not do the story justice. Miller does an excellent acting job, as does the rest of the cast, so you can watch with that in mind. The movie is available online on Amazon.