American Fable

American Fable possesses an amorphous, dreamlike quality that proves increasingly irritating as it wears on.

"American Fable" has its problems ... but it's a promising debut for Hamilton.

American Fable is ambitious, maybe too much so sometimes, but there's an intense pleasure in the boldness of the film's style, its confidence in what it is about.

A movie that spirals into nonsense.

Hamilton establishes a realistic sense of place and a horror-tinged atmosphere with impressive skill. Her artistry announces a cinematic talent. It also compounds the disappointment when her screenplay doesn't quite hold together.

Gorgeously shot, and helmed with a sense of daring and verve that belies Hamilton's greenness to feature filmmaking, this is a debut of obvious promise, although its story never quite rises to the level of its craft.

With a bit more energy and a bit more soul, American Fable could have been exceptional - instead, it's just very good.

A haunting, moving, intelligent and gripping allegory. Peyton Kennedy gives a breakthrough performance.

A potentially interesting story, but ultimately a tedious and pretentious film.

While American Fable isn't without its share of flaws, it's the type of inventive production that hints of happier endings to come.

Flirting with magical realism, it has an otherworldly beauty that provides one more lens through which to see the film. There are many thematic interpretations to expound on here.