My American Cousin is a simple, sweet coming of age tale about a young girl who is frustrated by her desire to get people to treat her as an adult. The story takes place on a rural ranch in British Columbia in the summer of 1959. Sandy Wilcox is at the awkward age of twelve going on 13, but she finds that all the adults in her world still treat her like she is ten, when she wants to be treated like she was 17. Her parents are not so eager to see her grow up. She is at constant odds against her parents, especially her mother.
The tension on increase when her American cousin, Butch Walker, shows up for an unexpected visit driving a big, red Cadillac Eldarado convertible. Butch tells his aunt and uncle he is on a "vacation". For Sandy, Butch is instant access to the adult world.
Butch's attitude is right out of Rebel Without A Cause and soon he is igniting sparks between him and his cousin, and another girl in town.
If this movie had been made in Hollywood it would have featured outlandish situations, over the top comedy and much more open sexuality. Instead, made in Canada the film demonstrates that simple is best. Written and directed by Sandy Wilson the film is a memoir based on her childhood and it feels completely authentic. It features all the great songs of the era, and to signify how love mysteriously arrives, the song Some Enchanted Evening is featured as the underscore.
A warm, sweet, charming film that won multiple Canadian film awards when it was released, including the Genie Award for Best Picture.
At The Movie House rating *** stars.
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