User Reviews

Two bits of trivia for you. 1. Ian McShane is one of those rare actors who has never given a bad performance. 2. The Canary Islands are, geologically, not islands but mountain tops. Once, long ago, when sea levels were lower, there was a civilization there. The reason for this trivia? Although McShane has never given a bad performance, he does occasionally take parts that are less than his due. Arguably, this is one of them. And, two, unless you succumb to the hypnotic delight of chillin' on the island (and many of you will indeed succumb!), this meandering and moody film may not be for you. It is literally 10 full minutes before we have actual dialog. To say the pace is slow is like saying water is wet. There is indeed some action in the Third Dramatic Act but, in all honesty, by then you will have absolutely decided whether or not this film is for you. And voted, accordingly, with your keyboard. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

I really hate giving a film that has nice scenery and Ian McShane a bad review. McShane puts in yet another seasoned performance and sells this empty script as best he can. This should have been within a 30 minute TV show time slot but is needlessly extended almost 2 full hours.

In short, an aging hitman comes to an island and waits for the target to arrive. Dullness ensues and an eventual confrontation. While it ends poetically it wasn't too well thought out. There was one scene which really shouldn't have happened if this film was to be what it tries to sell and it doesn't sell what it purports to sell very well either. Instead, it resorts to absolute minimalism and lets you, the audience, try to fill in the huge blanks and empty spaces it leaves. And for 2 hours, that's a major chore as you wait for signs of something to happen. We got the point that we're on Island time but that doesn't mean the audience needs to eperience it in full.

The real problem - no back story so why should you care about any of the characters. Even the main character reveals precious little about himself and it's nothing more than skin deep. You're not missing much and the actors elevate a lazy script.

Ian McShane was one of those actors that has either "good" or amazing performances. His acting in this beautifully-shot thriller set in the majestic Canary Islands was nothing short of outstanding. His character-acting was one of the finest I've seen in the industry. While his character was the center of this film, the smart acting of the supporting characters complimented so well with the rest because it provided such stability to the quality of the performances which was essential in keeping this slow-burn thriller from being too boring or too overwhelming to watch. The cinematography was one of the bests I've seen this year.

Wilson is an aging assassin recently arrived on Fuerteventura. After discovering that his hit has left the island, he decides to stay and relax, ostensibly until the target returns. Waiting and wandering, Wilson befriends Gloria, a bartender, and finds he has a connection with Max, a young boy staying at his resort. However, the arrival of Ryan, a figure from Wilson's past, makes it clear that he has broken his cardinal rule: never get attached.

Directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego, 'American Star' is a reserved thriller telling a familiar tale- but telling it well. Nacho Faerna's screenplay relies on silence, as much as dialogue, to further the narrative, and is an effective character study about a man past his prime, struggling to find something worthwhile left in a violent life. It is a subtle, quiet film, at times reminiscent of Jean-Pierre Melville's 'Le Samourai' or- perhaps more so- Stephen Frears' 'The Hit'.

Like Frears' film, the central character is a world weary assassin who begins to question himself while on his latest job. Similarly, both characters are reticent- in Frears' case, John Hurt's Braddock- though not without humour or emotion. The subplot involving Max is particularly heartfelt and well-handled, verging on the cloying at times, but not getting there. Building up to a memorable, surprising conclusion, the narrative packs a punch.

As does José David Montero's cinematography. As cool and clean as the central character, Montero's assured work complements the narrative, capturing the beauty and stark isolation of Fuerteventura. He makes excellent use of close-ups and tracking shots, compounding the suspense and tension of proceedings, while letting audiences peek into the minds of the characters; seemingly reading their thoughts through their expressions.

Moreover, Óscar Sempere's minimalist production design is striking, making Wilson's world feel cold and harsh. Leire Orella's muted costume design contributes both to the characters and the mood of the piece, while the score- from Remate- adds a quiet power and pathos to proceedings. Additionally, the film is well-edited, and rockets along at a brisk pace, though never seems rushed; feeling to be the perfect length at an hour and 47 minutes

Ian McShane stars as Wilson, opposite Nora Arnezeder as Gloria, Oscar Coleman as Max and Adam Nagaitis as Ryan. McShane delivers a masterclass in understatement, and is utterly compelling, creating in Wilson someone to root for. With deft, he displays the character's complexity and vulnerability, sharing an easy chemistry with Arnezeder. She makes Gloria- who is, to be fair, a little underwritten- interesting and sympathetic, while Coleman and Nagaitis are both excellent as the young Max and Ryan, respectively. In addition, Fanny Ardant does fine work in the all too small role of Gloria's mother, while the talents of Thomas Kretschmann are wasted entirely in a walk-on part shorter than the time it takes to write his name.

A worthwhile slow burn, Gonzalo López-Gallego's 'American Star' is an entertaining, evocative story, boasting stunning, crisp cinematography, an engaging narrative and compelling characters. Headlined by the incomparable Ian McShane, the film is quiet and full of nuance, and therefore might not be to everyone's tastes. However, for fans of McShane, Jean-Pierre Melville or Stephen Frears' 'The Hit,' it is worth taking a shot at.

McShane builds into the role throughout this metaphor of waiting. Waiting to let go of the things in his life and coming to terms with whatever was killing him slowly, military life, loss, divorce, family, shame, childhood dreams, joy. It's a backdrop for the end for the lead, where dialogue becomes less meaningful, his sunken dreams washed up, perhaps mythically on an abandoned shoreline. Ultimately he has followed orders to the end, perhaps even beyond into purgatory itself.

American Star seems a misleading title somewhat, but it's an interesting and captivating narrative for those more introspective evenings.

If you have a short attention span, hate great cinematography, don't understand nuance..can't abide beautiful scenery..have no interest in the combined complexities of human relationships coupled with random synchronicity..if you also hate nor have the intellectual capacity for nuance nor well observed subtitles..if you also have very little capacity for understanding human emotion and are devoid of compassion..if you cannot suspend disbelief..if your cinematic diet does not extend beyond soda and popcorn and that that is all the nourishment and sustenance you require in your consumption of film then this piece is not for you.

I loved it.

The only thing I'll say about this film is if you have suffer from insomina and have trouble sleeping, this film will do the trick. It's better than Ambien, Tylenol PM, Unisom and any other melatonin product on the market. Talk about slow, dull and boring, good golly Ms. Molly, good gracious alive. The scenery fantastic, score wonderful but the story? I watched the entire film and I still dIdn't understand what the contract killer's purpose was. Normally these type of films provide some semblance of the reason on why they've been hire to do a hit, a definitive reason of the specific targets but this film does neither. It doesn't provide any real purpose of the hit. The story makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Without question this is a true bedtime film that will have you snoring in no time....promise.

I'm not sure why this has a low rating. It's actually very well shot, the acting is very good, and while slow it's correctly paced for the genre.

The story is pretty rudimentary but it's handled well. The director does a great job framing the scenes and the setting is really beautiful.

This isn't an action movie so I guess the low ratings are from people who expected a man in his 70s to be doing Jason Statham level fight scenes?

It's a hitman story and it's a good one. The villain is played well too and the story does crash together at the end in an interesting way.

If you like hitman movies and appreciate slower paced, character driven and building stories you'll likely enjoy this.

McShane is as great as ever in this quiet, almost somber movie about a hitman waiting for a job in Fuerteventura.

The direction is very promising from Gonzalo Lopez who, from what I can see has done nothing of note but here seems to be inspired by The Hit or The American. It's artistic rather than arthouse and had me hooked for the first forty minutes or so. The movie then drifts a little before its climax and ending that will keep you guessing.

The cinematography of the the Canary Island is great and the supporting cast is excellent.

As said there are slow segments, but stay with it. I think it's worth it.

Better change the movie title to American Star Shipping line, why is this movie considered a thrill genre movie, no, correct question, why is this considered a movie from the beginning, really how could the movie writer imagine an 82 old lad barely walking to play an assassin, i bet Ian McShane had an obligatory term in his contract to have a piss break every 15 mins, imagine that the movie master sense that thrilling moment everyone have been waiting for was when the american star ship wreck fell on its side, that's the max thrill one could get, slow burning pace till it got more slow and more boring and meaningless there I realized that watching a line of lost ants at my back yard had more meaning than this.

With a 5.4 score usually it's worth watching. Not with this one. Looking back at the high scoring reviews one talks about cinematography, character play, human relations etc. Ok, if you are interested in the desert like island called Tenerife in wide angle view you are in luck. But you could also find this on sites about holiday destinations. The only good thing is the performance of top actor Ian McShane, hence the extra star from 1. The story is thin as a hair, extremely slow and the ending completely unsatisfactory, leaving the viewer in total.turmoil. I'm pretty annoyed after watching this no-story, a complete waste of time. It's also such a waste of a good actor too. He was superb in John Wick for instance.

I don't understand why people don't like this movie? The scenery of the Canary Islands is breathtaking, especially Fuerteventura. I have to pay a visit to Fuerteventura. Ian McShane has done a decent job of portraying an old assassin with a good heart. Yes, there're some drawbacks, mostly script's fault, it could've been better. To be honest I think it's a shame the movie didn't tell us who is behind the curtain pulling the strings. Gloria, does she look like Pablo Emilio Escobar to you? Come on, someone has done a last-minute script modification that's for sure. Gloria's mother is beautiful, I wished she could show McShane the American Star instead of Gloria. I could never kill a person I slept with, what's wrong with this world?

This was a mighty let down. Sir Ian McShane, arguably one of the most renowned actors in Hollywood stares in this movie and it was because of him, that I opted to spend my valuable time to watch this movie. Honestly, I am so so disappointed. I never thought I would see Mr McShane stare in such a soulless, boring, piece of junk movie. But here we are and after spending almost 2hrs staring at the screen hoping to make sense of it all, nothing remotely worthy happened.

Total waste of time. Watch something else if you can, because this one won't rock your boat at all. It's a huge pass for me..........

How boring could a movie about a hitman possibly be? It's like 'American Star' set out with that goal in mind. This movie has no hook. It has nothing to keep the audience invested and wanting to know what will happen next. This was a painfully dull experience.

Ian McShane is a very fine actor. He's extremely likeable and highly watchable whenever he is on screen. Without him this movie would be an absolute dumpster fire. The fact that movie was as bad as it was, despite having him in every scene, really is a testament to how bad of a story this was.

There's very little to like here. If you're finding the movie slow and hoping it picks up at some stage - it doesn't. There's nothing to see here. 3/10.

Nowadays, when all pretense thrillers are forged on the repetitive formula, this excellent argument works with the humane element as no other ever conceived. Forget about the usual gratuity of the "shot-punch-bomb" genre and dive into the complex persona of a mysterious protagonist played with virtuosity by the great Ian McShane. The pace is led steadily along the movie, as the landscape contributes to the crescent tension until the astonishing ending. No frills, no disposable clichés, no chance to narrative gaps. A modern classic, essential and referential for the future moviemakers generations. Great!

This is a good film. Don't listen to the inexperienced voters who think action movies all need to be Tom Cruise overdoing it to prove his youth, or Jason Stratham just over doing it. Again.

This has the nuance and emotion tucked away in it. It's subtle, a slower burn, and Ian McShane is the man for the job. Many other actors would have failed to make this film work. He does. There is plenty enough meat in it, there's a build up to it. And the viewer is not given every emotion in an obvious way through unnecessary dialogue for the hard of feeling. This is a film that old army guys, or wisened fighters might get. The young pups, probably won't, and that is why it has low ratings and deserves a lot better. Though I did keep thinking about the Sexy Beast movie, not because this film is like it, and yet, it's got the Spain (Canary Islands) ex-pat vibe, it's got Ian McShane as a tough old b'stard, and it's in the same genre.

I liked the directors approaches, I liked the camera work, I liked the shots. I holidayed in the Canaries and though I didn't leave the hotel when I stayed in Fuertenventura, I felt this film carried the vibe of the place well enough.

I think this director is going to be getting better as he goes on. He'd be good for a Cormac McCarthy story. I haven't seen Gonzalo López-Gallego's other films but will be checking them out now.

If there is anything I would improve it would be the very last shot, just before the credits. I'd have spent a bit more time getting that to express whatever I felt he was trying to express there. But that doesnt detract from the film or what it does, presents, and conveys.

I am going to give it 10 out of 10 because the low voters need serving, though strictly speaking this is an 8 out of 10 for me.

Beautifully shot film with a great slow arc to a harsh climax.

Ian mcshane delivers a very understated performance but that's the point of his character, a man who shouldn't be noticed too much but can't help interacting with fellow islanders.

It reminds me of The Hit with Tim Roth, Terence Stamp and John Hurt.

The scenery is stunning, the performances are all brilliant, and a soothing score fills the film nicely.

Don't watch if you want a good paced film where lots happen in quick succession.

The female co-star is fantastic in her role and oozes charm when around mcshane.

A really great film, and one I'll watch again.

The hit man genre has been done in a variety of ways, often with fast chases, glorified blood-letting, and a booming score. American Star is a thoughtful, refreshing take.

The aging hit man is the superb Ian McShane. McShane is a heavyweight. From Judas, to Lovejoy, Teddy Bass, and Al Swearengen, McShane is always spot-on in his captivating performances.

So it is with American Star. A quiet spin on the hit man at work tale, McShane delivers a lot with minimal dialogue. The hit man's military past is alluded to, but the focus is on the here and now on the gorgeous Canary Island of Fuerteventura.

The tension slowly mounts as viewers are trusted to pay attention to the nuance, small--and tender--moments, and quietly compelling characters. Nora Amezeder's Gloria is delightful, brining a young counter-point to Wilson's sage elder. Fanny Ardant shines in a brief turn as Gloria's mother. Smart, interesting women in a hit man story? Yes indeed.

My one quibble is the casting of Adam Nagaitis as Ryan. He pales next to McShane, never really convincing as one sent to keep an eye on the old veteran.

Lopez-Gallego does not attempt to reinvent the genre, yet he delivers a lot without ever overreaching. Those expecting chase scenes and a ton of gore may be underwhelmed, yet there is vast depth in American Star for those who favor a slow ride with strong close.

I really Enjoyed this movie, the abstract nature draws you in if you can relate, Ian McShane's Character is relatable ( In his position) and the scenes where nothing happens actually make me enjoy the film more.

The slow burn of the build up and him realising he is allowed to enjoy life really hit home with me, McShane carries this movie but really I think it is really underrated, without giving too much away I would really suggest you sit and watch this movie without expecting it to be a John Wick style film.

The beautiful shots and the sombre nature I found very refreshing and I really enjoyed this movie I would recommend anyone to give it a go.

Ian McShane is his usual gravelly world weary self. The supporting cast holds up well. The photography of the very distinctive scenery is magnificent and the slow burn plot is not for a millennial but give it the attention it deserves and it rewards you. The low scores on here must have been given by people who have grown up on YouTube shorts. The ending is brutal and quite shocking, given that it follows an hour of nothingness. I spent my honeymoon on the island and it captures the desolation well. In short then, the movie is made up of fantastic scenery, great, minimalist acting, a solid, slow moving plot and brutality. There's not too much not to like.