This Was America (2020) User Reviews

An Average Production at Best

[grahamp-09453 · 4/10 · 16 October 2020]

Just as it was Hillary Clinton's turn a few years back, now it's Donald Trumps. As can be reasonably expected the Trump supporters have scored it ultra low and the anti Trumpers ultra high. While there is little doubt it was intended to be an anti Trump movie lets remember this is a fictional movie and review it just on its watchability qualities.

I found the production a little weak overall. The story dragged centering more on the characters private relationships rather than the situation they were running from. A little over acted at times and with background music which often overpowered the dialogue. It could have been so much better had it been developed with more of the tension we experienced in The Hand Maids Tale. I guess the director was trying to keep it believable but all in all it made for a somewhat disappointing watch.

Anæmic cautionary tale that wears its politics on its sleeve

[troy-boulton · 3/10 · 20 October 2020]

Whilst I'm all for this indie's politics and messaging, as a cautionary tale this dystopian exploration of a near-term fascist America lacks the twists and turns it needs to make it a compelling view. It is blunt, direct and matter of fact, all of which is fine, but for all its starkness, there is little intrigue and no spark to keep the fires of interest burning. The scary thing is that the scenario depicted is so close to today's reality, we're already numb to the message held within. The film really needed to turn it up a notch, tighten up the narrative, and make something interesting happen.

Politics 8 Acting 4 Narrative 4 Cinematography 4

20:11 dumb error

[dfalk-27849 · 1/10 · 31 October 2020]

There is a Canada Post van in the scene at 20:11 lol. As the driver pulls out of the dealership there is a Canada Post van in what is supposed to be America? Wow, that is next level sloppy.

out of touch

[cadarvl · 1/10 · 15 February 2021]

No humor, sub-par acting, story felt conspiracy theory driven and out of touch with reality, or at the very least severely limited in perspective. Reminds me of films made by obscure cults.

Put my Conservative Cutlery away when I realized 'it's a Comedy'

[jackkern-862-993699 · 1/10 · 15 October 2020]

Yes, a Comedy that was not funny, not funny at all.

However, I feel compelled to Tweet the GOP and President Trump and ask them to cut a Campaign-Ad Check to the writers & directors in Canada, They Earned It!

Moving on to the acting, directing and cinematography was Un-Watchable!

Even a Trump hater will hate this movie

[decimatorcortez · 1/10 · 4 August 2022]

Love the zombie, end of the world, Zombieland, Shaun of the Dead, World War Z, Cell genre

Made it to the 25:40 mark before turning it off. Movie plain sucks. They should have spent the extra $2 actors and script.

The Trump factor was sophomoric at best, save it for your Thanksgiving Dinner fight with your MAGA hat wearing uncle/

Politics aside the acting was pure R U B B I S H!

[billyblackwood · 1/10 · 15 October 2020]

I see the Canadian talent pool of competent actors is almost empty now. More ironic that the ones with actual talent all live in Hollywood USA Something tells me Michael Moore had a hand in this dreadful movie somehow.

The truth hurts

[mark-93939 · 10/10 · 14 October 2020]

An excellent movie, with a quality cast.

Makes you sit up and think long and hard what a mess the country is in after four years super spreader Trumpy.

What?!!!

[armanlikhon · 1/10 · 18 October 2020]

Wow!!" 10/10? Realy? Are these people high or something? The worst film I Have ever seen.

it made me cry

[roger_2020 · 13 October 2020]

This Was America was a beautiful movie But every aspect of This Was America fit together. The acting from the top to the bit part. The musical score. The editing. The photography. The story, from opening credits to final scene. This Was America is a must- see, must- own title. 10/10

Scary good independent film

[cnesker · 10/10 · 14 October 2020]

Good movies make you think. Creating this-could-be-all-too-real-too-soon-scenario was terrifying and necessary. I'm glad this was released at this time, because I think it shows what a lack of empathy in a powerful country could lead to. Good movies also hit you somewhere, emotionally. I loved the father/daughter dynamic of the movie. They really hit the nail on the head with that and the two actors really played well together. For a low budget film, I was very impressed by its quality!

Of course this will attract the ire of all the bigots out there...

[alyoshadave · 7/10 · 13 October 2020]

If anything this film soft pedals what is going on even right now...if allowed to continue it will be much, much worse!

And absolutely not, both sides are not equally to blame. Democrats may, at many times be too weak and spineless and all too fearful, but the Reptilians and trumpler will lie, cheat and steal right out in broad daylight for everyone to see and then tell you to your face that they did not do so...or just ignore the question altogether.

To say nothing of the ubiquitous and absolutely incredible hypocrisy constantly on display.

This film is not great, but it is earnest, sincere and watchable.

Now try to watch the loathsome diatribes emanating from "the other side" with "alternate facts" that must have been extracted via enema...

Leftist garbage

[Darryl1127-1 · 1/10 · 25 July 2022]

I realize the title of the review is a bit redundant but this is poorly made, ham-fisted, propaganda. Plays out as though it was written and directed by a first year poli-sci student who was home schooled on the commune. Calling it a comedy doesn't conceal the vacuum where any substance would normally be found. Other than that, the acting was good. Specifically the young female lead. Great job on the credits! Or maybe I was just thrilled to see them?

Lead Actress

[samletch · 10/10 · 14 October 2020]

The lead, Caylin Turner killed it !!! The young actress has a bright future in film.

the truth about trump.

[davejam-49821 · 9/10 · 14 October 2020]

Very good . a timely film about what may well happen if trump is voted back in.good acting . a film to make you think .

Fiction or a prediction ... ?

[ddlee-21054 · 8/10 · 15 October 2020]

Like Handmaid's Tale, this is a cautionary tale of what can (will?) happen when corruption runs rampant, a leader's hatred and bigotry are presented as "facts" and facts are labelled as "fake".

The film is interspersed throughout with Trump's actual xenophobic rally rants about immigrants, the wall, nationalism (hmm ..we've heard it all before from other totaliarians) and MAGA chants and the film just takes us one step into the future.

Like the Handmaid's Tale, the story starts with a slightly different USA and protagonists who are trying to escape to Canada.

Trump has lost the 2020 election but refused to leave the WH and remains in control while doing his best to imitate leaders like Kim Jong Un ... complete with re-education centers. Almost everyone has drunk the kool-aide, censorship abounds, free speech is a thing of the past and xenophobia rules.

The acting isn't bad but the storyline was a little thin in spots, the cinematography was meh, and leading antagonist's woke speech at the very end was total cringe.

good movie

[ibrahimdegani · 9/10 · 20 October 2020]

I think the movie is good not that bad as the trump supporters say and it's a good story to tell but I want to understand why Trump supporters don't get that trump is the worst thing happen to America and the world and if trump stay that what will happen

I recommend this movie

Worth watching!

[zerbinator · 9/10 · 24 October 2020]

This story of one family's journey to escape the persecution in the states is definitely worth watching. With all the unrest in the states it's a kind of foreshadowing into just what's possible with a madman running the country. It's a gentle reminder to be grateful I'm Canadian. The young lead has great talent, as does the Bounty Hunter portrayed by Michael Coughlan. Of course, hardened Republicans will detest this film, and (no surprise) will want us all to know it!