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IMDbPro

American Loser

Original title: Trainwreck: My Life as an Idiot
  • 20072007
  • RR
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
Gretchen Mol and Seann William Scott in American Loser (2007)
Trailer for American Loser
Play trailer1:32
1 Video
9 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
A hilarious comedy about a young man from the Upper East Side of Manhattan and the gold-digging girl who inspires him to try to get it together.A hilarious comedy about a young man from the Upper East Side of Manhattan and the gold-digging girl who inspires him to try to get it together.A hilarious comedy about a young man from the Upper East Side of Manhattan and the gold-digging girl who inspires him to try to get it together.
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Tod Harrison Williams
  • Writers
    • Tod Harrison Williams
    • Jeff Nichols(based on the book: "The Little Yellow Bus" by)
  • Stars
    • Seann William Scott
    • Gretchen Mol
    • Deirdre O'Connell
Top credits
  • Director
    • Tod Harrison Williams
  • Writers
    • Tod Harrison Williams
    • Jeff Nichols(based on the book: "The Little Yellow Bus" by)
  • Stars
    • Seann William Scott
    • Gretchen Mol
    • Deirdre O'Connell
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 12User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    American Loser
    Trailer 1:32
    American Loser

    Photos9

    Gretchen Mol in American Loser (2007)
    Seann William Scott in American Loser (2007)
    Seann William Scott and Jeff Garlin in American Loser (2007)
    Seann William Scott and Jeff Garlin in American Loser (2007)
    Seann William Scott in American Loser (2007)
    Seann William Scott in American Loser (2007)
    Gretchen Mol and Seann William Scott in American Loser (2007)
    Seann William Scott in American Loser (2007)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Seann William Scott
    Seann William Scott
    • Jeff Nicholsas Jeff Nichols
    Gretchen Mol
    Gretchen Mol
    • Lynnas Lynn
    Deirdre O'Connell
    Deirdre O'Connell
    • Cynthiaas Cynthia
    Kevin Conway
    Kevin Conway
    • Bertas Bert
    Jeff Garlin
    Jeff Garlin
    • Lennyas Lenny
    Denis O'Hare
    Denis O'Hare
    • Mikeas Mike
    Stephen Adly Guirgis
    Stephen Adly Guirgis
    • Alas Al
    Charlie Tahan
    Charlie Tahan
    • Little Jeffas Little Jeff
    Tonye Patano
    Tonye Patano
    • Mrs. Shelbyas Mrs. Shelby
    Jonathan Ames
    Jonathan Ames
    • Chairpersonas Chairperson
    Jayce Bartok
    Jayce Bartok
    • Brian from Boarding Schoolas Brian from Boarding School
    Erica Fae
    Erica Fae
    • Receptionistas Receptionist
    • (as Erica Berg)
    Susannah Bianchi
    • Mary - AA Memberas Mary - AA Member
    Ian Buchanan
    Ian Buchanan
    • Terryas Terry
    Matthew Cowles
    Matthew Cowles
    • Detoxeras Detoxer
    Lars Engstrom
    Lars Engstrom
    • Some Guy #1as Some Guy #1
    Wynn Everett
    Wynn Everett
    • Saleswomanas Saleswoman
    Kevin Geer
    Kevin Geer
    • Older Bankeras Older Banker
    • Director
      • Tod Harrison Williams
    • Writers
      • Tod Harrison Williams
      • Jeff Nichols(based on the book: "The Little Yellow Bus" by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Towards the end of the closing credits, there is a clip of the real Jeff Nichols performing stand up comedy.
    • Connections
      References Rain Man (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Come A Little Closer
      Written and performed by Ray Herrmann and Frank Josephs

    User reviews12

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Funny and engaging
    I saw this film at SIFF last night with my g/f and her mother.

    I didn't research the film at all, just looked at the description and gave it a go. So when the opening credits said it was a true story, i thought it was a joke. It wasn't.

    The movie itself moves along very well and the main character pushes the plot along with his "sharing" sessions in various 12-step meetings. He is ADD, alcoholic (recovering), has tourettes, and badly needs to be "liked". He can't keep a job and depends on his "Mommy" for emotional and financial support. Wholly self-absorbed, he is yet charming and innocent.

    There is a love interest in the plot, but it really doesn't come off as one of those forced Hollywood sub-plots added for mass appeal. The male and female leads are impressive, as is the whole cast (many recognizable actors). Not predictable, and as I learned after the film... even the most ridiculous events were indeed factual.

    I'd hate to compare this movie to anything, but I can't help but thinking of American Splendor (or Crumb). It's not quite as docu-drama as either of those two films, but the character (in real life and on screen) has very similar eccentricities.

    Don't know if it will be released nationwide, but will definitely be in the DVD (ugh) cult film section of your video store one day.
    helpful•64
    15
    • blacademic
    • Jun 15, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 9, 2008 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • My Life as an Idiot
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • This Is That Productions
      • TruEntertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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