The Myth of the Greatest American Movie

A friend of mine recently tweeted me this article at Entertainment Weekly, in which Chris Nashawaty (a fine critic) rhapsodizes his love of Citizen Kane. He proclaims the film to be his favorite, as well as the Greatest American Film of All Time, something which, as he points out, the American Film Institute also stated in it's 100  Greatest American Movies of All Time. This is an opinion piece, of course, and was written mainly to create a dialogue about what each individual would call the GAF (Greatest American Film).

There's nothing wrong with proclaiming a film the GAF; as I always say, everyone is entitled to their opinions, and there should ALWAYS be a dissenting opinion. Life gets boring when we agree on everything, you know? But my main issue with this topic is that, as Nashawaty notes, the consensus is usually the same collection of films that glorifies epics and, well, studio fare over lesser-known independent works. Granted, there are some films that truly deserve to be on this list regardless; no list would be complete without Raging Bull or The Wizard of Oz. But what about Steven Soderbergh's sex, lies, and videotape? Or John Cassavetes' Faces? Even in the Spielberg canon, I'd argue that Jaws was a better - and more influential - film than Schindler's List. And I know there's a healthy population out there that would argue for George Lucas' Star Wars.

Also of note: how few of these films are lead by women. Now, I know that that's just a reflection of how Hollywood refuses to give an actress a big, juicy role but once in a blue moon, but surely there's an argument to be made for All About Eve, Sunset Blvd., or hell, even The Terminator and Aliens.

So here's my question to you: what do you think is the GAF? Or is it possible to have just one, or even any at all? Discuss.



*FWIW, I enjoy Citizen Kane, but I do think it's a bit overhyped. I certainly wouldn't call it the Best Movie Ever.*