American Movie

"Is that what you wanna do with your life? Suck down peppermint schnapps and try to call Morocco at two in the morning?" Classic documentary film style elevated to greatness through the sheer presence and charisma of Mark Borchardt and his friends. His determination to get his films made, while everything around him fails, is at once uplifting and slightly worrying. His gravitational pull is also the movie's gravitational pull. A rambling, emotional love letter to cinema.

My senile uncle's wallet: The Movie

Populated by a host of memorable characters, but at the center is Mark Borchardt -- the classic lovable loser (though not so lovable when he's had a few), a dynamo of homespun charm and undying drive, he walks a wobbly line between brutal cynicism and carefree optimism. The film follows his triumphs and frustrations like a rollercoaster, always offering new info to you, never once dwelling too long on anything. A compelling and completely re-watchable documentary.

His own brother mentioning that he thought Mark would turn out to be a serial killer is the brandy-soaked cherry on this weirdly endearing tale.

Surprisingly good documentary. Makes one want to laugh and cry at the same time. Mark Borchardt is a fascinating character bubbling with eccentricity.