American Girl (2018)

American Girl Poster
Original Title: Amerikalı Kız

A college teenager encounters love while being thrown in the harsh but poetic wind of his dreams. Even though he tries to resist, love has now taken over him. Is his passion for photography and his American love, Jenny, an obstacle to the revolution? Is life strong enough to break down this hard wall? A lament to the lost generation of an era through the great love of Rüzgar.

Introduction
The film "American Girl" released in 2018 is a drama that checks out the life of Monica, a taking a trip farm laborer's daughter. The film is a story of her individual development and her unbeaten will to increase above her hard-knock rural life. Director Rebecca Shapiro masterfully portrays the poignant journey of a lady who attempts to dream amidst the adversities of life.

Plot Summary
The film begins with Monica's household moving from one farm to another across the Midwest. The transience of her family's lifestyle suggests an unsteady education, minimal social interaction, and little room for Monica's personal development. In spite of these situations, Monica shows a trigger of aspiration and dreams of a life beyond the fields.

One day, Monica finds an old beauty pageant VHS at a garage sale. Fascinated by the glamourous lovely, confident females in the pageant video, Monica chooses to look for a local appeal competitors, despite her dad's suspicion. Unfazed by her situations, Monica invests her free time preparing for the pageant, learning about makeup, practicing speeches, and developing her attires from thrift-store finds.

Dispute and Climax
As Monica dives deeper into the pageant world, she starts to experience an internal conflict. The superficial glamour and focus on physical beauty alienate Monica and make her question her dreams. Her dispute propels the film towards its climax when Monica is publicly mocked for her modest background and lack of elegance.

Despite the derision, Monica declines to be detered. She uses the experience to declare her self-regard and increase above the criticism. She chooses to focus on increasing her confidence, discovering to speak up for herself, and finding her beauty, beyond physical looks.

Conclusion
Monica loses the pageant, but she leaves with something far more substantial: a newly found sense of self-esteem and determination to transcend her situations. This bittersweet ending ends up being a defining minute for Monica, setting her onto a journey of self-improvement. More than ever, Monica recognizes that her dreams are not tied to winning a beauty pageant however in achieving her maximum potential.

Critical Analysis

Through the film, Rebecca Shapiro highlights the socio-economic disparity in the United States and its influence on the goals of youths from lower-income families. Monica's character symbolically represents the predicament of lots of American ladies, dreaming to attain more yet constrained by familial duties and social biases. Monica's determination, durability, and positivity, in spite of her severe experiences, deliver a strong message of empowerment to audiences.

Last ideas
"American Girl" is a heartfelt film that narrates a tale of unyielding spirit and determination. It subverts the conventional narrative of charm pageants representing them as a simple façade. Rather, the film presses the idea of inner appeal, self-affirmation, confidence, and uniqueness at its essence. "American Girl" supplies an engaging argument on the subjective idea of beauty and the power of self-belief amidst misfortune.

Top Cast

  • Ezgi Acar
    Elif
  • Leelee Sobieski (small)
    Leelee Sobieski
    Jenny
  • Ömür Arpac? (small)
    Ömür Arpac?
    Avni
  • Mehmet Aslan (small)
    Mehmet Aslan
    Toprak
  • Rüzgar Çetin
    Ruzgar
  • Jeroen Krabbé (small)
    Jeroen Krabbé
    Minister