American Folk

The songs are lovely, and the first-time actors give performances that grow warmer as the film progresses

The whole thing was a bad idea that only genius could've rescued. Maybe not even then.

Sung mainly by real-life folk musicians Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth, the songs lend the film an emotional resonance that the forced dialogue often struggles to achieve.

With quirky characters met along the road, and as a visual love letter to the heartland, the film has a certain charm, and fans of folk music should be more than happy.

The film belatedly emerges as one of the stronger fictional statements on 9/11.

Only a few films over the years have tried to dramatize events leading up to or following 9/11. September 12th takes a modest but effective approach to that national tragedy.

The haunting effects of 9/11 have never been so lyrically approached on film...

The actors are both accomplished folk musicians, so the music is amazing. The film is quiet and peaceful as they journey in a forced slow pace back to the epicenter.

American Folk didn't have to be good. Instead Heinz delivered a gentle yet nuanced exploration of America and Americans in one of our darkest hours.

American Folk-and the actors themselves-come alive when the music's playing, particularly if you're a fan of Pete Seeger-era Americana.

Neither character is particularly compelling, nor are the goodhearted folk they meet along the way because It Was A Time When All Kinds of Americans Briefly Came Together and Heinz is only interested in pounding that idea home.

Mild language in music-fueled 9/11 road-trip drama.