Steve Earle: Just an American Boy

Critics Consensus

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Movie Info

In the fall of 2002, singer, songwriter and political activist Steve Earle released an album of songs written in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, entitled Jerusalem. One of its songs, "John Walker's Blues" -- written from the perspective of John Walker Lindh, a Muslim from America who was discovered fighting alongside Taliban forces -- triggered off a flurry of controversy, and Earle found himself having to defend his views, his patriotism, and his right to free speech in the press. Steve Earle: Just an American Boy is a documentary which follows Earle as he tours in support of the Jerusalem album, speaks to journalists about his songs and the looming war in Iraq, writes and directs his first play (Karla, a dramatization of the life and death of Karla Faye Tucker, the first woman ever to be executed by the Texas penal system), discusses his outspoken opposition to the death penalty, and, with his band, shows why he's become one of the most critically acclaimed singer/songwriters of his generation. Steve Earle: Just an American Boy was directed by Amos Poe, who previously helmed the groundbreaking document of New York's nascent punk rock scene, Blank Generation.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts
Directed By:

Amos Poe
In Theaters:

Jan 1, 2003 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Feb 10, 2004
Runtime:

95 minutes
Studio:

Cowboy Pictures

Cast

Steve Earle

Justin Earle

Critic Reviews for Steve Earle: Just an American Boy

All Critics (13) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (6)

Decidedly low-tech and not always particularly coherent or cohesive.

Dec 12, 2003

Richard Harrington
Washington Post
Top Critic
While the film's coziness toward its subject is ultimately frustrating, it does provide a welcome portrait of one of the music industry's genuine and rare iconoclasts.

Dec 10, 2003

Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic
Even for a big fan like me, parts of this documentary (especially musical performances) just go on too long.

Dec 4, 2003 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic
Earle's song introductions, like those of his mentors Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, are as meaty, pointed, and touching as the tunes themselves, and his spoken words -- full of humor and humanity -- are the heart of the film.

Nov 28, 2003 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Joan Anderman
Boston Globe
Top Critic
A mediocre music documentary.

Nov 7, 2003 | Rating: 2/4

Lou Lumenick
New York Post
Top Critic
A crude but stirring video documentary.

Nov 6, 2003 | Rating: 3/5

Stephen Holden
New York Times
Top Critic
Dull and ugly.

Jun 4, 2004 | Rating: 2/4

Chris Hewitt
St. Paul Pioneer Press
In Just an American Boy, Steve Earle proves that he just may be the most important American troubadour of his generation

Apr 20, 2004 | Rating: 76/100 | Full Review…

Dan Jardine
Cinemania
Did it make me want to run out and buy his albums? Well, maybe not, but it did make me like the man and respect the activist -- and the artist. Three out of four ain't bad

Nov 12, 2003 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Earle -- and his fans -- deserve better.

Nov 7, 2003 | Rating: 1.5/5 | Full Review…

Ken Fox
TV Guide
There's a tantalizing excerpt from Earle's performance of 'John Walker' on Fox News, but otherwise we mostly see him working his broad catalog for adoring crowds.

Nov 4, 2003 | Full Review…

Josh Goldfein
Village Voice
Top Critic