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?

[–] BillHicksFan (10716) 5 years ago

its marketing

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

That's pretty much what I figured.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 5 years ago

It's just an easiest title when the moviemaker can't think of something better. The Departed can be easily titled American Gangster while being a remake of a Hong Kong movie.

Even worse is American Animals. The movie is about a bunch of amateur thieves that tried to steal a book about American animals. That's so contrived. What if the book they happened to steal was History of Belgium. Will they title the movie History of Belgium? They just want to have the word "American" in the movie to add the hype for a mediocre product which would be none otherwise.

The same with "Project" titles for movies, games, products, etc. Project X, The Florida Project, Project Cars, etc. Stupid names.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Makes sense, the simple answer is usually the most accurate. I was just wondering if there was more to it which there doesn't seem to be.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 5 years ago

Also... "French Beauty" doesn't roll off the tounge as easily.

[–] Kowalski (79128) 5 years ago

AMERICAN MEANS BETTER.YOURE WELCOME.

[–] froggyandtoadie (835) 5 years ago

Unfounded arrogance, hotdogs and football.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 5 years ago

You mean handegg?

[–] froggyandtoadie (835) 5 years ago

Lol right.