American Outlaws – Film Review

The intriguing true story of the Dougherty siblings is an intriguing one, and American Outlaws by writer/director Sean McEwen aims to bring it to the big screen. The film had the potential to be an interesting crime drama thanks to its intriguing premise and a cast that was led by India Eisley, Emory Cohen, and Sam Strike. Nevertheless, despite its best efforts, American Outlaws fails to live up to expectations, providing a combination of clichés and missed opportunities that ultimately leave the viewer wanting more.

The Dougherty siblings, Lee-Grace, Dylan, and Ryan, who may go to jail, decide to go on a cross-country crime spree in search of their idealized version of freedom. This initial setup introduces an intriguing idea that could have been thoroughly investigated, delving into the character motivations and psychology. Unfortunately, this potential is never fully taken advantage of in the film’s narrative.

The lack of character growth in American Outlaws is among one of its biggest problems. The siblings are introduced to the audience, but only a cursory examination of their histories, motivations, and connections is given. As a result, it’s difficult to invest in the characters’ journey because it’s difficult to relate to them on a deeper level.

Sam Strike, Emory Cohen, and India Eisley all deliver admirable performances, but the script doesn’t give them enough to work with. Lee-Grace is portrayed by Eisley as a stern, no-nonsense leader, but she lacks nuance and complexity. Strike’s Ryan is given very little to do besides follow along with Cohen’s Dylan, who comes across as the stereotypical rebel without a cause. The supporting cast is also plagued by a lack of character development, which makes many of them seem one-dimensional and forgettable.

American Outlaws strives to strike a balance between romanticizing the Dougherty siblings’ criminal behavior and recognizing its repercussions when depicting it. The film doesn’t hold back when it comes to showing the mayhem and danger of their crimes, but it also doesn’t go into great detail about the moral ramifications of their decisions. This lack of moral investigation is a missed chance because it could have given the characters and their motivations more nuance and complexity.

Another problem that detracts from the overall experience is the pacing of the film. While American Outlaws makes an effort to cover a sizable portion of the Dougherty siblings’ crime spree, it rushes through crucial scenes and lacks tension and suspense. Moments that ought to have been crucial to the story are glossed over, which makes the audience feel unconnected to it. Though it may have been necessary, the decision to compress the timeline of the real-life events into a relatively brief film leads to an uneven and disappointing narrative.

Sean McEwen’s direction is competent, but it lacks a clear visual aesthetic. American Outlaws frequently has the feel of a made-for-TV film as opposed to a theatrical production. Even though they are adequate, the action scenes lack the excitement and intensity that one would anticipate from a crime drama. A chance to design visually arresting set pieces that could have improved the movie was lost.

The investigation of family dynamics is one area where American Outlaws does offer some promise. Lee-Grace, Dylan, and Ryan have a strong sense of sibling bond, and there are times when their relationships seem complicated. The audience yearns for more understanding into their connections and how their criminal decisions affected their family, but these moments are brief and underdeveloped.

The soundtrack for the film is an uneven mix of rock songs from the time period that occasionally give certain scenes more energy. The soundtrack selections occasionally, though, give the impression that they were made purely for the purpose of having a catchy soundtrack and were forced into the story.

Positively, the costume design and production design of the movie do a good job of capturing the era. American Outlaws does a good job of taking viewers back to the late 20th century, from the vintage cars to the clothing choices. It is admirable how carefully the settings and atmosphere of the time were recreated; it gives the movie more authenticity.

Sean McEwen’s new film American Outlaws has an intriguing premise and a strong cast, but it ultimately falls short of its potential. The experience is hampered by the lack of character development, the hurried pacing, and the failure to fully explore the complicated dynamics within the Dougherty family. Despite some promising moments, the film falls short of providing a satisfying and in-depth exploration of the true story it seeks to depict. American Outlaws might leave you yearning for a crime drama with more substance and depth.