Rent American Woman (2018)

3.5 of 5 from 281 ratings
1h 51min
Rent American Woman (aka The Burning Woman) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
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  • Available formats
Synopsis:
"American Woman" finds poignant drama in one woman's gruelling odyssey, thanks in no small part to Sienna Miller's outstanding work in the leading role. In a blue-collar town in Pennsylvania, a 32-year-old woman's teen daughter goes missing and she is left to raise her infant grandson alone. The story is told over the course of 11 years: we journey with her from the time her daughter vanishes, through the trials-and-tribulations of subsequent years, and ultimately to the long-awaited discovery of the truth.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Kelly Rose Golden, ,
Directors:
Producers:
Brad Feinstein, Michael A. Pruss, Ridley Scott, Kevin J. Walsh
Writers:
Brad Ingelsby
Aka:
The Burning Woman
Genres:
Drama
Collections:
The Instant Expert's Guide to: Ridley Scott
BBFC:
Release Date:
Not released
Run Time:
111 minutes
BBFC:
Release Date:
14/10/2019
Run Time:
112 minutes
Languages:
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:
None
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.39:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B

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Reviews (3) of American Woman

Sienna Miller is incredible in this hard-hitting but redemptive film - American Woman review by TB

Spoiler Alert
05/05/2020

When looking at films to watch, one thing which will always interest me is actors trying new things and really stepping out of their comfort zones, whilst being in films with an amazing script/crew to help them soar. The most obvious one that comes to mind in recent memory is Dallas Buyers Club, where Matthew McConaughey went from being the guy in every rom-com Hollywood released for years, to transforming into a scared, AIDS afflicted man who refused to be cowed. Although much of the focus at first was on his transformation, within 5 minutes his previous roles were forgotten and you were completely immersed in the film.

This is the same reaction I had watching American Woman. I had seen Sienna Miller in Foxcatcher and American Sniper and been surprised when I found out this was the same woman who had been the love interest in Layer Cake. But she excels in American Woman and this film is hers, from the moment you first see her bonding with her daughter over the right outfit to go out on the town in, then following her over the next 11 years as her life goes through great highs and terrible lows. 

Miller is also surrounded by a great cast, foremost of which is Christina Hendricks who plays her sister. The chemistry between the two, as they go from animosity to anger, to the bond that siblings who have come through hell have is perfectly realised. Special mention must also go to Will Sasso, who plays the husband, bringing emotional wallop and gravitas to what is usually a thankless role.

I look forward to what Sienna Miller does next, and hope that now people have seen what she can do when given the right material, will be queuing up to work with her.  

2 out of 3 members found this review helpful.

Not for me - American Woman review by IR

Spoiler Alert
12/05/2020

Having read rave reviews about Siena Miller's performance, I was looking forward to seeing this. I didn't last longer than 20 minutes, which were filled with excruciating anger, tension and frustration. This is surely testament to the effectiveness of the story-telling, but I didn't relate. It's not you, it's me on this one.

0 out of 3 members found this review helpful.

Extra star for Sienna - American Woman review by TH

Spoiler Alert
Updated 24/09/2020

This film was a tad predictable and it never felt like it was aiming to be anything. Some films pitch themselves as Oscar bait, but this film doesn't have a strong enough script or enough emotional investment to make it worth while. However full marks to Sienna who gives it everything and is a stand out in an otherwise disappointing film.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

Critic review

American Woman (aka The Burning Woman) review by Mark McPherson - Cinema Paradiso

American Woman is a familiar tragic tale that is all the more forlorn for once more taking aim at the all-too-common Americana crime of kidnapping. Teaming in true crime despair, the film focuses on the agony and grind of trying to solve the case of a missing child. It never ceases to be a constant source of mystery thrillers and never ceases to continue stressing the stress of it all. American Woman is one of the few that hits hard enough to be both meaningful and enthralling without falling into routine cliches.

In a small town of Pennsylvania during the late 1980s, single mother Deb Callahan struggles to make ends meet with her teenage daughter Bridget and Bridget’s young child both living with her. Since Deb’s life is a bit in tatters, considering her strained relationship with her sister, she strives to help make Bridget’s life a little better. Deb volunteers to watch Bridget’s son while she ventures on a date with her baby’s daddy, hoping that the cycle of single-parenting can be resolved. What she ends up with is a missing daughter.

Deb believes that Tyler, Bridget’s baby daddy, is the one responsible but has no proof. An investigation is launched and the community bands together, working alongside a detective. But Deb is drained and feels exceptionally helpless in such a situation. Who wouldn’t? So many questions rush through her mind of what she could’ve done better and what was left that had to be said to her daughter. The days turn into weeks and the weeks to months. Her house becomes target practice for her frustrations and bouts of despair are abound. Suicide becomes an option as well.

The film is essentially two films for its halves in stages of grief. For the first half of the picture, we watch the horror was over Deb realizing her daughter is gone. She struggles and thrashes her way towards coming to terms with her grief. Skip ahead a few years and Deb tries to reform herself. She goes back to school and tries to make amends with Tyler, though it doesn’t go right. In fact, not much goes right outside of her career that takes off in human resources. She starts a new relationship and it ends miserably. But she has a chance of finally finding the whereabouts of her daughter, perhaps giving her the opportunity to move on.

Sienna Miller gives an astounding performance as Deb, perfectly encapsulating the various forms of a mother on the edge, being pushed off that edge, and struggling to claw her way back to the top of stability. When she’s distraught, she’s an absolute mess, exploding with rage and sorrow that melts the soul. It’s easy to feel for her and her massive struggle to make things right, as impossible as it seems at times. She feels hopeless for being blamed for Bridget’s drug addiction and being drawn into relationships that end in disaster. It’s all leads to a bit of a bittersweet catharsis by the time Deb has a mere glimmer of hope in the form of closure by the end of the picture.

Director Jake Scott takes great care to show a draining build of one woman stricken by the loss of her daughter. We stick with Deb and get to know her and watch how life doesn’t so easily turn around, often seeming like every turn is a dead-end. There’s a relatable tone to that sense of despair that perfectly encapsulates how easy it is for a single mom to feel the cruelty of the world when everything comes crashing down. Some cases that turn cold only leave the individual deeply saddened by the tragedy. American Woman showcases how such an event can lead to so much more than just bleak days ahead for a woman already struggling.

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