Wings of Desire meets Aftersun somehow meets... well, Andrea Arnold, who pulls this off in a way no one else could.

I already want to see this on the big screen a second time, but alas, I caught it just at the end of its theatrical run.

Props, by the way, to the subtitler who meticulously translated all of the background chatter, song lyrics, and graffiti-- truly. I relished every detail.

Forty minutes into this movie I was thinking there was no way I could be sold on this romance. Forty minutes later I was tearing up watching Simon tear up watching Patty sing. Well played. Glad nobody took it down a notch.

1. I can't try to rate American Movie objectively as it is my hometown's only claim to fame, and I think it helps explain why I am this way.

2. One time I bought a copy of this movie on VHS at the Locust Street Festival while Mark Borchardt was across the street writing a screenplay at Fuel Cafe. Stay small, Milwaukee.

3. Mike Schank is as tender as his scream is legendary. Proud of him for maintaining 27 years of sobriety before he died.