Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Originally, the only reason I selected it was because I am from the Buffalo area and love everything Buffalo-Niagara. Any time I get to see home is always great. The locations are used for no real specific purpose that I can understand. Why would anyone jump off the Lockport Erie Canal locks? The actors are fun in a film noir kind of way. There is no real fluidity for their entrance or exit. The plot is mediocre with hollow dialogue. It builds to almost nothing and then ends. No real noir climax. I really enjoy the noir cheese and would definitely recommend for a displaced WNYer looking to see home. Otherwise, I'd have never stopped to watch this.

I can for the life of me not understand why this movie was made.The plot is incredibly unoriginal. Using Nikola Tesla and a half-witted conspiracy plot as the main storyline just did not work. Presumably, the writer used him because Tesla is currently in vogue, I suppose had he written the script a few years ago the plot would have revolved around an apple conspiracy. While the acting was good and even featured some good actors the whole storyline was convoluted, boring, and just plain bad. I can't help wonder who financed this thing and more importantly why did Netflix buy it and subject its viewers to it.

There are two things going for this movie.1) Film noir tropes. If you like that sort of thing. 2) Shots of Buffalo. If you're from Buffalo, like Buffalo and don't feel like going outside, maybe you will enjoy this.I almost added the Tesla history to the list. I love Tesla and this played a role in my decision to see the film. Unfortunately, the movie became so fanatically ludicrous over Tesla I'd rather they left him out completely.The movie is otherwise awful. Painfully obvious is that the movie is essentially various characters walking up to Greg Stuhr and saying their lines to advance the plot. In this aspect it's just like an elementary school play, only with Matthew Broderick instead of your six year old. The plot makes less and less sense as the movie plays out and becomes increasingly hostile to common sense and logic. Much of the movie flits around to various locations in Buffalo for absolutely no rhyme or reason except to squeeze in as many Buffalo shots as possible. There is no exposition and no character development. Not a single character receives any real treatment during the film. At the end, the only names I could recall were of the lead actor and Nikola Tesla, who wasn't even in the movie.Overall, it's the type of product you might see from a film student who was only admitted to film school because someone on the admissions committee was snorting coke. Fun Fact: Actress playing government agent was The Bowler in Mystery Men.

If you are a fan of well-made films that make you think, have a bit of pathos and are beautifully shot, do yourself a favor and watch The American Side. In a world that is getting more and more difficult to make quality films without a "high concept", this movie reminds us of what filmaking is truly about. The story holds your interest throughout and the acting is top notch; the characters are all very interesting - from the lead down to the day players - but perhaps most intriguing of all is the character of location. The city of Buffalo, NY and the surrounding western NY area including Niagra Falls, plays a key and visually stunning role in this film. This is a real hidden gem.