American Dharma (2018) User Reviews

Enlightening, at least for me, documentary about the Trump era, how it grew and how it will go on for a foreseeable future

[JvH48 · 8/10 · 19 November 2018]

Saw this at IDFA 2018, the documentary festival in Amsterdam. Difficult film to watch and sit through, not for being a bad documentary but because some of the things said and shown on screen that nearly make me throw sharp kitchen tools towards the speaker. It displays a clear vision of what the current politically correct elite does wrong in the eyes of the "common" man, failing to solve any of the issues we have nowadays, merely make toothless compromises and never take a real stand against things that "everyone" sees going in the wrong direction. There is an urgent need for change, as Bannon repeatedly states. And getting Trump elected is a blunt instrument (his words) to get things changed. Any of the other Republican candidates would only prolong the status quo, so Trump was in fact the only way out.

My problem, on the other hand, is whether this new approach will work out very differently. It reverses things arranged in the past, just for the sake of doing it differently, without a clear vision about a new future. But I'm not really politically interested, so I'm wrong on all counts while having no clear position either, nor a better alternative, nor any urgency to change things.

I can appreciate that Bannon wanted to have this film made, thereby getting a platform to explain things that did not work out the way he probably wanted. If he did make an attempt to make his role bigger than it actually was, he did it subtly enough and I was not aware of it (if he did). At least he flatly denied having written Trumps acceptance speech, that was not so well received in other countries. Given that it was sheer luck to win the presidential election on a narrow margin, he cannot (and did not) say that the strategy was so brilliant that they impossibly could have lost.

All in all, if you are a bit masochistic and can stand the things brought to you via news fragments and other existing footage, this movie illustrates the "Trump era" very well, how it grew and how it will continue to exist for the foreseeable future. The movie fragments that are supposed to enlighten us about Barron's strategy, did not all work for me, albeit most were a very good attempt, like several clips from Twelve O'clock High (1949). Also, the pivotal scene with Henry V and Fallstaff, in Chimes at Midnight (1965), could explain Bannon being sent away by Trump as inevitable.

A Description, not an Analysis, of a Pathology

[Johann_Cat · 6/10 · 8 December 2020]

As somebody who read the news during the Trump administration, nothing here surprised me, unfortunately. Apart from Morris' occasional polite interjections that Bannon seemed incoherent or self-contradictory, there were few breaks in the progress of Bannon's grandiose self-identifications with film characters played by Gregory Peck and John Wayne. These slow-moving bloviations, made unsuitably elegant by Morris' editing and use of famous film clips, take up much of the film. Morris does say, a few times, that Bannon's use of terms like "populism" and professed sympathy with "working people" make no good sense, considered alongside his endorsements of an unregulated marketplace, the absolute liberty of corporations to profit and pollute, and no clear vision of how breaking the American rule of law at the highest levels (to embolden an autocrat, in this case a delusional, brat-like one) helps "working people." In Bannon, we have an unusually complete personification of a desire to break American democracy, as if one were smashing a clock with a hammer in order to fix it. Bannon fuses a wounded egotism and a mythic nationalism, a reaction fired by a seething assumption that some apocalyptic, world-scale disaster could restore this small, individual blow-hard's lost dignity. The biggest defect of the film is that Morris didn't use his talent to imply or illustrate the perceived losses that motivate Bannon. Bannon obviously functions by mapping a personal or familial trauma onto a knight-vs.-dragon romance featuring "globalism" as the dragon (no explanation of any loss or disappointment of Bannon's is provided, but such a loss is a tacit theme of the whole). Morris could have done much more than assemble a film that remains a dramatic stage (featuring the set of a WWII airplane hangar that goes up in flames) for Bannon's ramblings, but to *analyze* a key psychopathy in current history. Because America, based largely on the luck of our geographical isolation from the full reach of other belligerents, came out of the disaster of World War II with three decades of prosperity, he maniacally dreams of a WWIII rather than having a coherent plan for making anything. None of Bannon's notorious scams come to light in the film; Morris overlooks the bizarre irony that Bannon earned considerable seed money for his current career by dealing (out of Hong Kong) illegal video game accessories and cheats in the 2000s. His vague fantasies of remaking America by burning it down not only appeal to many wounded egos but create a thick smokescreen against realities--like his (and Trump's) scams. The machine that is broken seems to be Bannon, not America, but Morris failed to put together a vivid analysis of why Bannon doesn't run right, but merely puzzled at the spectacle of the bound, grinding gears. The stakes are higher than the film implied. That thing could blow up.

Quite good

[Bangorboy · 7/10 · 6 August 2020]

Quite a good film and the cinematics make it more watchable than if it was just a standard interview type format. For such a vilified character he doesn't seem that bad and is at least open to debate. It's striking that much of Bannon's political ideology seems to come apart under the gentlest of questioning and he almost seems acutely aware of that. Can't help feeling as a result that there is something more going on and that his politics are perhaps more a surface manifestation of some deeper psychological aspect. The film leaves that aspect largely unexplored.

Weak interview. Interesting to see where Bannon is coming from and his inherent paradoxes.

[stardust314116 · 7/10 · 4 June 2022]

I gave a 7 because it's always a good thing to have people like S Bannon on record, but overall I found the interview quite weak as Errol Morris is sometimes simply disagreeing or being outraged but does not bring any facts or arguments into the mix.

Interesting to see how Bannon had no credible defense argument for Charlottesville, the Alt-Right, and the role of Breitbart in giving a voice to hate. I think he just does not care of the consequences; the end justifies the means.

I found remarkable that the role of Bannon at Cambridge Analytica was not mentioned (except for a newspaper title that appears half a second on the screen).

Bannon is a man with a mission - an evil, dangerous mission that is. He does not care about the deplorables, the men in the trenches, they are just a tool.

Bannon is consumed by power, and will piggy back any useful idiot/populist that will help speed up the coming of a self-realizing apocalyptic prophecy.

Overdone

[postma-km · 6/10 · 19 November 2018]

Seen at idfa 2018. The description on the idfa site got me really curious into this movie. However in my opinion the film did not deliver the promise of being "an horror story about a fascinating villan, too dangerous to ignore". However that may be actually true, this film did not leave that decision up to the viewer. And though it was beautifully crafted, it was overdone. To me the film felt artificial and thus had not the impact it could have.

No comment on character but the movie is conducted well

[yuxiciciz · 7/10 · 13 April 2020]

A debut of American Dharma in North America was released in Toronto Film Festival when I firstly saw it. It's a great chance to to hear what the director's opinion about Bannon, the role of this documentary, who was the executive operator of an American media and famous for being Trump's advisor during his campaign. Although the movie describes Bannon objectively, the director seems has nothing in common with Bannon's stand points and feels some kind of unacceptable about some thoughts such as Bannon compare his departure from Trumps' team to Lucifer in Paradise Lost. Actually, this documentary is an epitome of 2016 Trump's presidential election period. What makes me feel curious is the reason why Bannon compares himself to honey badger.

Haunting, masterful and engaging

[steven_greenstreet · 10/10 · 15 March 2020]

In Morris' previous film, you hear him ask questions but never really see him. In "American Dharma", he's right there, in Bannon's face... and on camera. It's personal. This was personal for Morris, "I'm afraid of you guys." I love that decision.

As for the film itself, it was a brilliant psychological analysis of someone (and something) that not many people are willing to properly analyze. A recognition of a sentiment within America that lusts for revolution. Why revolution? Well, Bannon has his say. And Morris has his. But that's the easy stuff. The stuff on the surface.

Where this film really gets interesting is Morris' juxtaposition of Bannon's favorite films and Bannon himself. These stoic, heroic, "All-American" figures like John Wayne or Alec Guiness in "Bridge Over The River Kuai" that do things based on their "dharma"... purpose, honor, duty. This is all well and good until Morris points out, "But, wait, all these character eventually breakdown emotionally with an epiphany of 'My God, what if I'm wrong?'" And, in a way, Bannon reaches that point by the end of Morris' film. Everything around him burns to the ground and he's left walking, alone, into a dark and dreary horizon.

All around, a complicated and beautifully executed documentary that forces the viewer to look at things that make them uncomfortable. In other words, exactly what a documentary should be.

Great movie

[ruirebgamboa · 9/10 · 6 May 2020]

Errol Morris delivers it again. The principle is the same: a tet à tet. But the end result is always different. Always amazing out it develops. Dont let your political views stand in the way of watching this film. Just enjoy it. It's yet another powerfull movie. And a word to the music and sound effects, Morris knows how important they are adding drama.

A portrait of a modern Machiavelli

[ozjosh03 · 8/10 · 22 November 2020]

An exquisitely made documentary, in which Errol Morris gives Steve Bannon just enough rope to hang himself. No doubt many would prefer to see Bannon more thoroughly and decisively skewered (which wouldn't be hard), but Bannon is smart enough not to participate with any documentarian who would do that. Instead, Bannon engages with Morris and collaborates all-too-willingly with his conceit of drawing parallels between Bannon's political machinations and his favourite Hollywood classics. The approach neatly underscores Bannon's essential narcissism, while giving him a framework within which he can both expound his political views and reveal himself, both proudly and inadvertently. As the consequences of this current wave of populism - and, more specifically, Trumpism - continue to unfold and blight the world, American Dharma is likely to become an increasingly important document of one of the movement's most important architects. With Trump now defeated (at least electorally) Morris probably needs to re-visit Bannon for his more unvarnished views on the presidency he engineered. Maybe they could call it Dharma and Dumber.

Fascinating how a low-level celebrity can be so ignorant and delusional

[cooverknight · 5/10 · 29 October 2022]

Errol Morris does his usual job of letting his subject reveal himself/herself by simply asking a few pointed questions. However, with Steve Bannon, it should take no more than a few minutes to determine that he is woefully unenlightened, and really has no clue as to the dynamics of American politics or its people. I wonder whether he's ever read a book about politics, society, or sociology. I do know he's a movie fan, and '12 O'Clock High, a film starring Gregory Peck, who is bracing his pilots prior to bombing missions not to expect a happy ending. In a famous line from the film--but one that is a common phrase observed by soldiers in wartime or observers of war, he tells his men not to worry about death because 'you're already dead.' Such a sentiment has been expressed in scores of books by participants in war and observers and researchers about war. It's nothing new, although Bannon seems to think it is somehow revelatory. It's surprising he was so influenced by the movie and the scene given Bannon's supposed position that you must go forward to advance your agenca 'by any means necessary,' as Malcolm X said, and many before him. The inconsistency is that Malcolm X meant it. Bannon doesn't. He worked briefly as a bureaucrat, has never been in combat, and has no clue how most Americans feel in regards to actually lay down their lives for someone like Trump. The fact is Trump's followers are not about to do something so 'revolutionary' except perhaps for a few people on the periphery. I can only think of one person pre-Trump, McVey, who ignited the bomb in Oklahoma, that committed himself to an act that would surely end in his capture, and his demise. Ironically, McVey wasn't exactly the brightest bulb, and got caught quickly. Bannon is not tough nor is he brave. If he thinks that an armed rebellion will commence with millions of Americans taking to the streets with weapons in support of Trump, he hasn't examined the situation deeply. Bannon comes off as being a right wing version of a thoughtless leftist radical. However, there are dozens of thinkers, philosophers, political scientists, historians that have studied liberal discontents and have written hundreds of books about the issue. Bannon's education is woefully lacking, and his sophistication in pitiful. I truly was shocked that his level of discourse sounded like a high school student, and with no true feasible plan to make a change. It is also highly doubtful he has ever studied revolutions in Latin America. Where there truly are threats to peace, and where rebellion does end in killing. Bannon is a perfect subject for an Errol Morris film. He reveals how unenlightened he is while at the same time, presents Morris as a lot more sophisticated in thinking about the important issues of the ruling class in America. For Bannon to consider himself to be a so-called 'populist' because he has a small inkling of what that means is doing no favors to anyone. He also seems to have no political savvy. You don't spread ideas among the general public if you don't know your audience. I haven't read his columns for Breitbart news. But why haven't people that share his view seem to lack any evidence about what they espouse. They don't use economic analyses, political explanations, historical precedence except for the most asinine claims. Why? They simply don't know much--in fact, they don't seem to know much of anything. Could you imagine comparing people in the pro-Trump movement with our 'founding fathers.' It's absurd. Bannon reveals the emperor has no clothes. The emperor is not very convincing except to those that don't read. This has nothing to do with fake news. It demonstrates a deep ignorance that may result in violent attacks by outsiders, but if you review the resumes of many of the 1/6 invaders, they don't even seem to be able to hold down jobs. Bannon is a metonymy for a disoriented, dislocated group of individuals that lack all sophistication, that threaten the public or gov't as though such threats will be helpful to their cause. They won't be. Who would risk his life or her life for people that need to get a life? This must have been Errol Morris's easiest film to make.

A hard-to-watch masterpiece!

[GreggBab · 10/10 · 4 February 2020]

This film is why horror movies exist. Because American Dharma's terrific terror and frightening visions are real in the here and now. Most people won't face this reality head on, but the terror still seeps in through the unconscious realm. They must experience and expunge it somehow, so films about killer dolls and haunted houses in the woods are made to fulfill that need.

American Dharma is a hard-to-watch masterpiece. Errol Morris proves once again why he is one of the 20th and 21rst centuries great living artists

Awesome

[claytonjubran · 10/10 · 10 September 2018]

The cinematography and music in this documentary are incredible. Keeps you very entertained. Learned a lot as well.

Centers Around Bannon's Favorite Movies, BUT

[MortSahlFan · 8/10 · 31 August 2020]

Errol Morris is a weasel. He was face to face with Bannon for 17 hours, but waits until AFTER he gets bad reviews to badmouth him.

The movie centers around Bannon's favorite movies, including "Sergeant York" and others, and how they revolve around the Trump 2016 Campaign, but also how he got started, and why he thinks the way he does... Definitely worth the $3.99, and I'm cheap!

Weird perception of Reality

[sanateam · 1/10 · 28 February 2020]

I watched this to get insight into the Trump machine, his support system, his inner network. This Bannon guy is very intelligent. Sad though that he uses his intelligence for Evil. He is very sure of his views. This was an insight into alternate reality.

Amazing work by Morris, yet again

[rzajac · 9/10 · 19 February 2020]

Gotta state my case, up-front, here: This flick is...

...well, I was about to say *just like*, but... not quite.

It's *much* like "Fog of War", except it's even more tragic because we learn at the film's start that Bannon was a hyper-big fan of "Fog of War".

If that's the case, why did he fall into a trap even more obvious and dunderheaded than the trap into which McNamara fell?

That's really the question that you're left with at the end of "American Dharma".

Yea, verily: It *is* to ponder.

Addendum: 2020/08/21

I've been thinking more about this flick, and it occurs to me to ask...

Maybe... maybe Morris could have done more to extract something of actual polemical value from the tar-baby of Bannon?

Because, come to think of it, this is a place Morris could've tread truly new ground.

And that's odd to think, given the ostensible media-savvy "outreach" exertions of Bannon: One would assume that by now we had a clear vision of his... uh... clear vision.

But it never seems to happen. Time and again, when he sits with an interviewer, we never (ever!) get a direct honest answer to the essential question: So, you think that the way "forward" into your vision of "economic nationalism" is... Trump?(?) And how would *that* be?

AND MORRIS FAILS ON THIS COUNT, AS WELL.

That's an important point, and, arguably, key to an observation that a mighty documentarian like Morris may have actually dropped a ball, here.

Orange Man Bad

[plainbrownwrapper · 1/10 · 1 February 2020]

This is a movie about Steve Bannon, who is not controlled by the Party. Enter Hollywood (which is completely controlled by the Party) to explain to me that Orange Man Bad, and anyone associated with him is Bad also. This movie is part of the kanopy streaming service from my local library, and it seems to me that all the movies have been selected by some Bernie bro. Not Suitable For Americans.

Interesting interview spoiled by drama queens

[mileseross · 5/10 · 18 June 2020]

Morris asks some probing questions into Bannon, whose ideology often glosses over the more practical repercussions of Trump's presidency. Unfortunately, I both Morris and Bannon overly dramatize the entire interview and make it into a Shakespearen dialogue more than an informative lesson for the viewer. Furthermore, the over-the-top imagery Morris uses add to the feeling that it's all a little too much and these guys take themselves way too seriously.