American Western (2022), directed by Gregory Hatanaka, is a lean, 66-minute romp through the Old West that is equal parts earnest attempt at classic Western storytelling and unintentionally hilarious spectacle. At its core, it’s a tale as old as time: a bandit betrayed by his friend is thrown into prison, only to escape five years later and return seeking revenge. But the charm here lies not in originality—it’s in the sheer audacity of its execution.
Nino Cimino, self-funding once again to star as the hero Nico Raines, brings an undeniable charisma to the screen. His presence alone makes the movie watchable, even as the acting, dialogue, and production values stumble in spectacular fashion. Cimino’s Western accent fluctuates wildly between line readings, often veering into what can only be described as “fifth-grade class play” territory, a flaw that somehow elevates the film’s comedic appeal. Supporting performances from Chris Spinelli as the villainous Capt. Harrison, Linda S. Wong as Nico’s love interest Rita, and Shane Ryan-Reid as the nefarious Deputy Adams follow the same trend: over-the-top, uneven, and endlessly entertaining.
The plot itself is charmingly absurd. Nico is double-crossed after a porta-potty robbery, imprisoned in what might be mistaken for a castle or someone’s backyard, endures a whipping from an elderly man who seems in the middle of a medical emergency, and escapes simply by walking out the front gate. Add contemporary Western garb and dialogue that no 19th-century outlaw would ever utter, and you have a story that’s equal parts parody and homage.
Then there are the gunfights—undeniably the highlight. Forget historical accuracy or tension: these shootouts combine modern hip-hop with melodramatic “cowboy acting,” resulting in sequences so spectacularly wrong they loop back around to being mesmerizing. Cimino’s inability to find a correctly sized cowboy hat is somehow emblematic of the film’s charm, while the deputy’s lizardlike attempts at human emotion are a performance that deserves its own thesis.
American Western is not a masterpiece of cinema, nor does it aspire to be. Its entertainment value comes from its wholehearted commitment to chaos, flawed execution, and Cimino’s sheer gusto. Fans of indie filmmaking, laugh-out-loud absurdity, or audacious Westerns will find themselves thoroughly entertained. It’s a film that will make you groan, laugh, and marvel at the audacity of it all—and in that, it succeeds brilliantly.
Verdict: watch American Western. Your expectations will be shattered, your funny bone will be tickled, and you’ll witness Nino Cimino at his most gloriously self-assured. A true gem of accidental comedy in the Wild West.
Jessie Hobson