American Shopper

Watch American Shopper

"You shop for groceries. They shop for glory."
  • NR
  • 2007
  • 1 hr 26 min
  • 7.7  (38)

American Shopper is a 2007 dark comedy that follows the life of John Watson, a 45-year-old divorcee who believes that winning the national "Shopper of the Year" title is his last chance at redemption. The film, directed by Tamas Bojtor and written by Michael Hornburg, stars Clare Adrian as John's ex-wife, Wes Cunningham as the host of the Shopper of the Year competition, and Katherine Del Rio as John's present girlfriend.

The film begins with John's life falling apart. He is divorced, recently laid off from his job, and is suffering from depression. John's only source of happiness is watching the Shopper of the Year competition on television every year. John is convinced that he could be the next Shopper of the Year and decides to enter the competition with his girlfriend, Chantelle (played by Katherine Del Rio).

The competition is held in Tampa, Florida, and John and Chantelle travel there to participate. Once they arrive, they meet the other contestants, all of whom are quirky and eccentric in their own way. Some of the contestants are veterans of the competition, while others are new to it, just like John.

Throughout the competition, John becomes increasingly obsessed with winning. His behavior becomes erratic, and his relationship with Chantelle begins to suffer. John's ex-wife, Mary (played by Clare Adrian), also shows up in Tampa and tries to convince John to give up on the competition and come home.

The film tackles some heavy themes, including mental illness and obsession, but does so with a dark sense of humor. John's journey to win the competition is both hilarious and heartbreaking. The film is a commentary on the culture of consumerism and how it affects people's lives.

The performances in the film are excellent. Wes Cunningham is perfect as the over-the-top host of the competition. He is equal parts charismatic and villainous, and his interactions with the contestants are some of the film's funniest moments. Clare Adrian gives a nuanced performance as John's ex-wife. She is both sympathetic and frustrated with John's behavior. Katherine Del Rio is also great as Chantelle, who tries her best to support John but is ultimately pushed to her limits.

The film's cinematography is also worth noting. The bright pastel colors of the competition and the black and white flashbacks to John's past are visually stunning. The film's score, composed by John Carpenter, is also a standout. It perfectly captures the film's dark and comedic tone.

Overall, American Shopper is a hilarious and thought-provoking film. It is a satire of our consumerist culture and a commentary on the lengths people will go to in order to feel validated. The film's performances, cinematography, and score all come together to make a truly entertaining movie.

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Description
  • Release Date
    2007
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 26 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.7  (38)