Austin Film Festival Movie Review: ‘American Spirit’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There comes a point in all of our lives, where we reflect upon our journey and when we do… we tend to ponder deeply upon the most important moments in our memories, and understandably so. After all, our first love taught us a great deal about what our hearts really wanted. Not to mention, the first death we experienced taught us so much about mortality and the need to live in the moment and our first job helped us to understand the career would we choose. So why not reflect upon such formative moments? But while big moments have meaning, and big moments matter, and they are indeed worth revisiting, we should in fact, ponder beyond those big moments. Because there are so many more that taught us valuable lessons. Ones that we dismissed long ago but had such an impact.
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For instance, the first time we said ‘no’ to someone that wanted something from us, was the moment we set up boundaries. Not to mention, the first time we got fired from a job of our own accord taught us a great deal about responsibility and how to handle ourselves in situations that could put our financial standing in that kind of jeopardy. Which are also important moments. But of the many we experience in life, there is one we should cherish above all else. For there are days in our youth, shortly after we leave high school and work to conquer the world, where we really found focus and learned so much about the world… through conversations that seemingly were never going to end. With people that excited our very being, and those talks really did make us into something special, and that particular moment in time is top of mind today, because a magnificent film that reminds us of the power of that moment recently debuted at the Austin Film Festival.

A feat that American Spirit accomplishes by introducing us to a woman named Melody, who is a college student and is eager to just enjoy a cigarette and unwind after a frustrating evening at a party, and while she does enjoy that cigarette, she runs into someone quite important named Jonathan. Whom she dated back in their high school days, and well… since they have no place of importance to be on this night, they decide to reconnect. What follows, is a fascinating evening, wherein this duo discusses college, what’s happened since they left high school behind and what lie ahead. For soon is full on adulthood and its responsibilities and their discussions will bring about all kinds of powerful moments on this night. Ones that help them to understand life and teach them about the power of connection.  

Which initially, makes you think you’re settling in to watch a coming-of-age story, and there is merit to that. Because so many stories in that vein do feature important conversations and moments of learning and realization. But it is what we are privy to in the grand conversation that Melody and Jonathan are taking part in… that makes it clear… this is about so much more. Because it really is about… an evening of discovery. Of those moments where we just live and connect with people and share in special memories that involve so much more than just partying. But philosophical thinking, discussions about who we are, where we are going, what we want. All of which are critical to our future. Because without those nights, we fail to understand so much about people, ourselves and that leads to an amazing feature. 

One that truly does capture… an experience we all take part in. Because every last one of us have done what Melody and Jonathan have done, and we truly found such power and such gravity in that moment. Because nothing else mattered on that night but real human connection and words that spoke to dreams, hopes, and optimism untold for a future ahead, and what makes this film so impactful, is that Writer/Director Christopher Yates captures this moment realistically. Via fantastic dialogue that isn’t kitschy or stylized. It’s simply authentic, and the way the film is shot and set up, allows for the whole movie to feel as though we’re on the journey with Melody and Jonathan, and living through that amazing moment once again.

All of which gives rise to a refreshing film. One that filled with fascinating moments and amazing performances. Since Yasmeen Fletcher (Melody), Cooper Roth (Jonathan), and Mackinlee Waddell (Riley) add to the depth of a tale that harkens back to the indie classics of the late 90s and early 00s where just capturing a moment was the norm, and truly… this is a story that ignites something special within the viewer. Simply because this story… transports us back in time to the moment where everything was simple and everything was ahead of us, and we wanted nothing more than to get out there and conquer the world because of those conversations. It reminds us… of the value of those little moments, of the power of conversation and how we cherish it forever. For we hadn’t a clue… that such a moment would do so much for us in the years ahead.

To watch ‘American Spirit’ visit the Austin Film Festival website. Stay tuned for more coverage from this film, courtesy of our interview with Writer/Director Christopher Yates, and Cast Members Yasmeen Fletcher, Cooper Roth, and Mackinlee Waddell.

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