Is American Methods Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1917)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of American Methods (1917), audiences are invited back into the world of Drama. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "William Armstrong, an American whose family is from France, inherits an iron mine in France. With his sister Betty, he travels to France to take over the business. In the village near the mine lives Claire, the daughter of a wealthy family, who is engaged to the scheming Duc de Bligny. When Claire's family loses all their money, the Duc dumps her for the daughter of a wealthy manufacturer. Armstrong and his sister find themselves caught up in this intrigue, which becomes more complicated when Armstrong falls for Claire."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. William Farnum attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is American Methods worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, American Methods misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 60 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.