EVERY MOVIE HAS A LESSON

There's room for film noir that can inhabit real places and plausible people while still having all the necessary ingredients to make them as cool as the genre demands.  With a deep homage to noir coupled with a big dose of 1970's-esque conspiracy thrillers, director Jenna Ricker, in her second feature film, presents "The American Side" starring her Greg Stuhr and a notable ensemble cast.  Using upstate New York, Ricker has created a living and breathing seedy side out a wholesome American city and tourist destination.  As a film, "The American Side" is satisfying and a constantly engaging throwback detective story that surpasses its glitzy and more expensive Hollywood peer "The Nice Guys."