User reviews

American Fable is set in the mid west of Reagan's 1980s America where some farmers were financially hard hit, heading for bankruptcy with their land being bought up by investors.

Gitty (Peyton Kennedy) is an eleven year old girl living with her dad Abe (Kip Pardue) who is struggling farmer, mother Sarah (Marci Miller) who is pregnant and older brother Martin (Gavin MacIntosh) who is hostile, bully and a borderline psycho, just see the way he nearly chopped her hand off.

Gitty lives a care free rural life, she may not have many friends but she has a pet chicken and her own fantasy world. One day in an out of bounds silo in the far reaches of their family farm, Gitty finds a businessman Jonathan (Richard Schiff) being held captive. Gitty feeds him, brings him books to read. He tells her stories and even teaches her to play chess. Obviously Richard is befriending her so she can help him escape but he appears to be genuine enough.

It seems her dad, mum and brother are in league with a mysterious woman called Vera, who wants the farmers to fight back against these rich developers. Gitty is in a dilemma whether to free Jonathan and put her family at risk of arrest.

The film wants to be a fable, you have various tales being told, a fantasy sequence but it is not wholly coherent. The film reaches an urgency at the climax but you really are left thinking as to how this crazy brother has not yet been institutionalised.

The film benefits from wonderful photography even the night scenes are well utilised but the film is under-cooked.

Greetings again from the darkness. The feature film debut of writer/director Anne Hamilton may cause Aesop to turn over in the grave, but it also supports the adage that desperate times call for desperate measures. Just how desperate is really the point here, and the moral line in the sand is drawn by an 11 year old girl named Gitty (short for Gertrude).

Gitty (an outstanding Peyton Kennedy) lives on a farm with her pregnant mother Sarah (Marci Miller), bullying brother Martin (Gavin MacIntosh), and beloved father Abe (Kip Pardue). Gitty is the kind of kid who loves stories with happy endings, has a pet chicken named Happy, and loves exploring the surrounding countryside with her friends … a dried water well, abandoned house, and lighting bugs are all part of their daily adventures. Only a remote silo is considered off-limits per her father.

It's the 1980's and times are tough for family farms. Making ends meet is incredibly challenging and the sagging economy has resulted in many sell-offs of generational farms and the subsequent suicides of farmers who simply can't face the failure. Gitty blindly trusts her dad when he promises they won't lose their farm. Doubt only enters her mind when she discovers a battered man (Richard Schiff) in business attire locked in that off-limits silo. The captive man tells her not to tell her dad, and instead asks her to bring food and books. Even an 11 year old cloaked in innocence begins to suspect something isn't right.

We see the story unfold through the eyes of Gitty, and her fantasies, dreams and visions remind us just how the world looks to a kid. Her openness, curiosity and imagination all act as a kind of sixth sense that lead to the judgment of a child … what is right and what is wrong. Knowing Gitty is the source of our insight helps explain the near cartoonish evil perpetrated by Martin – an overanxious kid who sees himself as some type of "warrior" (an image bestowed by the mysterious Vera). Zuleikha Robinson plays Vera in the mold of a fairy tale witch influencing others … in this case, Gitty's dad … to do her dirty work.

The film is beautifully shot by cinematographer Wyatt Garfield, and at various times recalls Pan's Labyrinth, The Fall, and the camera work of Terrence Malick. Gitty's character is easily compared to Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird, but her "Honest" Abe dad is no Atticus Finch. Richard Schiff is excellent as the captive man, while Peyton Kennedy reminds of a young Elle Fanning (very high praise indeed). Kids have an amazing ability to see the black and white of right and wrong despite all the extraneous noise going on in their young uncorrupted heads. It's a shame it all turns to gray as we grow older. It's a nice first film from Ms. Hamilton.

I find it strange but mostly harsh to read so many one star reviews for a movie that was entertaining from beginning till the end. I agree that the end could have been better explained but overall it's still much better than any of those negative reviewers want you to believe. The story is about friendship and compassion, not so much a thriller (I wouldn't have categorized it in that genre), but more as a drama with some decent actors, especially the twelve year old Peyton Kennedy. I wouldn't listen too much to the negative reviewers, just watch it and make your own conclusion, I'm sure you'll find it better than those pathetic one star reviews (I guess those people only watch a movie once a month or so).

Thought this was a wonderful film, visually and atmospherically. The characters were excellent, both the likable and the not-so-likable (like the brother and the 'villain'), and the storyline was gripping and evocative. The only problem for me was the ending, or lack of it - too much was left unexplained which I'm afraid ruined it for me overall.

Even more, simpler that I thought it would be! The story it's quite simple, really. The ending seems abrupt, but it's not really, by the last scene everything is solved... there's nothing to add. Or at least I don't need anything else to add. It's true, there are a few details that I don't know what they mean, and maybe I'm missing something and I didn't realise of something, but as I've understood it makes sense and there's not a lot more to add, even from those details "unsolved" for me. The cinematography is very good, everyone is very good on their roles, and it's a different take on a thematic seen many times before. Good movie. I wonder though what was those details... will update this review if I ever find out!

I'm not too sure exactly what 'American Fable' was trying to be. It's listed as a thriller on its IMDb page, and there are elements to it that could certainly make it a thriller, only it doesn't feel like a thriller. The problem is I'm not sure exactly what it does feel like. It's a story that kind of just drifts along until it ends. Even though there is an interesting scenario at the heart of the film, I still never felt like I cared what was going to happen next, because the film didn't feel like it had a lot of tricks up its sleeve. Unfortunately, because of this the end product is a rather bland film.

I suspect writer/director Anne Hamilton had a vision for this film which was to entrance the audience and create an almost fairy tale like world. Sadly though, she just seemed to find the nothingness middle ground of everything. I think that's the biggest problem with the film is that it never commits to any direction and it never dares to be anything great. I think Hamilton had the idea right somewhere along the line, she just perhaps didn't have the writing and film making skills to put it together. It's a shame too because films like this, when done right, can be an absolute treat. Sadly, 'American Fable' is a misfire.

I feel like the rating for this movie should be much higher than it is, considering how original and interesting the plot was. Sure there were fantasy elements, and things that made you question reality, but it didn't take away from the film as a whole.

I enjoyed this movie from beginning to end. Peyton Kennedy blew me away and made me want to see her in just about anything else. Children really are such natural actors. She is the main reason people should see this film and enjoy it more than they may have otherwise. I really liked the way the script played with good & evil, similarly to what Christopher Nolan likes to do. I would watch this again, and certainly watch more like this.

A thriller from a debutante writer, director. Obviously she did not get support from a big production house, but within the small scale, she has given a nice film. Of course, there were a few flaws. Particularly in the writing section. Overall, the film is very intriguing. The music, locations, performances supported the narration so well. This could be one of the under-noticed film, due to unfamiliar cast and crew. But surely a decent film.

The story of a farmer family. In a small rural America, where farmers are surrendering to death for unable to pay back the loans, a 11 year old girl is not disturbed by the adult's way of life. Her best friend, a chicken named Happy, roam all over surrounding places. One day she finds a man trapped in her silo. They two becomes friends and help each others needs. But the girl never knew there's a complication behind meeting him. And when that breaks loose, drastically things changes and brings an end to the narration with a twist.

The storyline was good, but kind of reminds 'Pan's Labyrinth'. This was more a thriller than a fantasy, yet a few scenes defines it could be influenced by fable as the title say. It had a philosophical touch too. The timeline of the tale was 1980s and in the eyes of adult, it is a perfect thriller that focused on the farmers' issue. But, since the story was narrated from the eyes of a kid, that's where magical perspective blooms. So the mix of both these things makes the film very special.

-xX] Important people don't have to say they're important. [Xx-

When it comes to the film's drawback, the curves of the storytelling, the scenes were not smoothened enough. I mean the ideas were awesome, but small-small thing had hard time to get away with a perfect blend. For example, the girl could have broken the door/lock from the outside or given foods and other items through the window, instead of climbing up. But the major parts of the film had nothing wrong and can be enjoyed. What it all says is the rookie mistake, but surely the filmmaker has talent and hoping her next one would be a top notch.

The little girl was very impressive. It reminds many big stars of the present who once did such a wonderful film as a child artist. So I wish her future to be great. She was all over the film, the rest of the cast had little scope, but they all did good as well. Predicting the story is not hard, but there's always one thing bothers is that the doubt between reality and fiction. You know it's not usual for one to find a man trapped in a silo. It has to be one way or the other as I've said. For that, you have to wait till the commencement of the third act. Because sometimes, the could be the film's greatest twist.

As I've said, it was not a perfect thriller. Nor ignorable! Most of the scene seems intentional, because they were initiated in the early stage like an intro, only in the latter half, once again, they were brought into the narration with the following consequences. How such things were used to complete the storytelling was well planned design. On this, don't believe the film critics. Me either, if you are not a film fanatic. But all I say is, it is not a bad film as you see on the internet. Those who takes chances and appreciates small scale films should try it. But generally, I recommend it to all!

7/10

This fine young actress is the only girl in her age group I've ever watched and thought wow, she could be a great Scout from "To Kill a Mockingbird".

Wonderful acting, the whole story felt so smooth and natural even with the slight fantasy element. It's a sort of coming of age mystery focused around a young girl and it's beautifully shot. It is also sweet, funny, and dark and kinda hard to put into words as it's one of those films that makes you feel.

Watched on a whim because I was bored and let me tell you despite having a low attention span I did not move my butt from my chair the whole hour and 30 minutes. (Except once because the sun went down and I had to close the window because I was cold.) If you like quiet, emotional, character driven stories with mystery and tension to keep you put then this is probably for you.

You ever watch a movie where the theatrical cut feels like it should have been the director's cut? That's what I felt about this movie.

I feel there is an excellent movie right here, in the marble as it were. But they needed to chisel a bit more, do a bit more self editing.

An evocative and engaging modern fairytale with all the lucid artificiality that should entail, using the inexperienced perspective of a child (one of those tweens that's not become a miniature adult yet) peering into the dark, arguably even more childish world of the grown-ups, as a means of of meditating on the shifting sociopolitical climate, where the old family farms of old desperately cling to existence in modernity.

Richly envisioned and composed with so many superb images, the girl is totes adorbs. Sadly the film seems to think it's a lot cleverer and profound than it really is and it can get rather obnoxious.

I saw this as part of Film Four's "Fantastica" season and I must say, all the low fantasy elements don't add anything. At one point they have one of those awakes-from-a-dream-a-second-time moments and it's as annoying as Hugo. It can also be very predictable, sometimes painfully being what it seems to think a movie should be based on watching block busters. I like blockbusters, but this movie should be true to what it is and not pile on the artificial suspense just because J J Abrams does it.

But there is still much to like. The relationship of this little girl and the older man is handled with pathos, humour and dextrousity. Not a bad movie, just one that's not all good.

This movie was pretty good! it was filmed really beautifully and the acting from the main character Giddy was executed really well. It was also told from her point of view which was really interesting. I don't know why most people from this movie hard to follow, i found it really straight forward. It's worth a watch.

This is a simple movie. Any comparisons to Pan's Labyrinth are either misguided or a hopeful publicity grab. The child actress is very good, but her character should have been written younger to be believable. As is, she seemed as painfully dull as her family told her she was (which was horrid...horrid people). This was a complete waste of money and time. The entire movie was predictable and of low production quality.

is horrible!! It says the genre is a thriller. Where that got that I have no clue. This movie makes no sense what so ever. The acting is just as bad! I am telling you. Don't waste your time. I didn't look to see it if it had a trailer to watch. I wish I had looked to see if it would have help show how bad the movie was.

We're living in country very reminiscent of the film's location, so there was a heightened appeal to the scenery for us, but honestly, this movie rises far above the attractiveness of its setting. It's a little unusual in that a major part of the drama hangs on the relationship between the father and daughter who greatly resemble each other. I found then both easy to listen to and watch. Both actors do a great job in their roles and they carry most of the picture with substantial help from this first time director who tells her story very effectively.

I've read criticism of the plot and the non-resolution of various issues brought up, but as one who needs murder mysteries and spy dramas to make perfect sense, a story mostly from a child's point of view set on a farm doesn't have to come together like a puzzle. I enjoyed this film and look forward to more from this interesting director.