MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > What does "American" mean?

What does "American" mean?

posted 5 years ago by [deleted]
31 replies | jump to latest

Sorry for what might be seen as a click bait title but I am really curious about this and couldn't think of a better way to phrase it.

A lot of films and songs have "American" in the title, a lot of the time the film being set in America is all that ties it to the title. Also a lot of the time the film could be set anywhere for all it matters.

A film like "American Beauty" could have just as easily been set in France for example.

So my question is using the word "American" just a way to attract attention or a bigger market or does it actually mean something that myself, as a non American is missing?

[–] TandyMan (11351) 5 years ago

My take on it is the film usually offers a unique take on what it is to live in America. For instance, American Beauty examined the underbelly of supposedly utopian suburban life.

[–] mikethemartian (7001) 5 years ago

Well “American Beauty” has at least a double meaning since it is also a type of rose.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Thanks, I didn't know it was also a type of rose.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

An American Werewolf in London would only have worked in London. An American Werewolf in London set in Frankfurt wouldn't have gone well.

[–] kspkap (13629) 5 years ago

The answer is really quite simple. This country is the United States of America therefore if someone is a citizen of this country s/he is an American. If a resident of Texas...a Texan, California...a Californian, Florida...a Floridian, etc. Trouble is how do you refer to someone from New York? A New Yorkan doesn’t fit.🤔 Hmm? I know! I know! A Yankee!! 😉

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

did you read the question?

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Interesting question as i cant think of a single film using a different country's name in the same way.