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American Me

American Me

Crime · Drama · 1992

During his 18 years in Folsom Prison, street-gang leader Santana rules over all the drug-and-murder activities behind bars. Upon his release, Santana goes back to his old neighborhood, intending to lead a peaceful, crime-free life. But his old gang buddies force him back into his old habits.

Movie details

American Me

“In prison they are the law. On the streets they are the power.”

1992 Crime · Drama 2h 5m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.4 / 10

Community rating

During his 18 years in Folsom Prison, street-gang leader Santana rules over all the drug-and-murder activities behind bars. Upon his release, Santana goes back to his old neighborhood, intending to lead a peaceful, crime-free life. But his old gang buddies force him back into his old habits.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over American Me?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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American History X

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Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing two African-American men. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Edward James Olmos

Written by

Floyd Mutrux · Desmond Nakano

Edward James Olmos

Edward James Olmos

Montoya Santana

William Forsythe

William Forsythe

J.D.

Pepe Serna

Pepe Serna

Mundo

Panchito Gómez

Panchito Gómez

Young Montoya Santana

Steve Wilcox

Steve Wilcox

Young J.D.

Danny De La Paz

Danny De La Paz

Puppet

Sal Lopez

Sal Lopez

Pedro Santana

Court is in session

Put American Me on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.