An American Opera (2007) User Reviews

American Opera Sings Out The Plight Of Animals

[DavidStewart57 · 8/10 · 4 August 2009]

Salman Rushdie once said, "If you want to give voice to the voiceless, you've got to find a language." Tom McPhee gives that voice to the animals, who suffered during Hurricane Katrina, in his film, "An American Opera." The film opens with an homage to "Apocalypse Now"; an aid worker looks up at a revolving fan and the camera overlooks the flooded areas of Louisiana. The next eighty-seven minutes takes you on an unforgettable journey through the salvaged areas of New Orleans and the stores of heroism and shock concerning man's best friend.

"An American Opera" is not just a documentary; it is a juxtaposition of different documentaries blended into one. The editing of interviews between the animal rescue workers and members of the American Humane Association mirrors the split screen style used in "Woodstock" and Saul Swimmer's "Concert for Bangladesh." The unflinching eye through the halls of the abandoned St. Bernard's School, in which 33 dogs and cats were killed by the St. Bernard Sheriff's Officers, compares favorably to the shots of Abu Ghraib from Errol Morris's "Standard Operating Procedure."

"An American Opera" is a stunning piece of citizen journalism. Tom McPhee carries on the torch once lit by John Huston during his days as a documentary filmmaker during World War II as he examines a world not so often told by today's 24-hour media circus. Get ready to be shocked and inspired by "An American Opera."

Very moving movie...

[linda-wilson-5 · 8/10 · 6 September 2009]

Katrina was devastation, pure and simple. The break down in the fabric of New Orleans society was not something that was portrayed through the media. As usual, we see what we are supposed to see...no more, no less. Tom's portrayal of the plight of animals after Katrina was bare-boned and showed us the painful reality of how things really were. We saw only a small piece of the aftermath, I can only imagine what it would be like to see the whole picture. Unless a person has experienced this kind of trauma, they cannot know what toll it takes on the mind and how it changes our perception of things and in that, changes the decisions we make. Tom did a wonderful job producing this film. It was moving and elicited many emotional responses in a very short period of time. People need to see this.

A wonderful, important film!

[rceccles · 10/10 · 30 July 2009]

I loved this film! It presents a side of the Katrina disaster that wasn't covered as well as it could've been, and serves as a warning that this sort of thing could happen again if we're not proactive and vigilant.

Tom McPhee presents this sensitive subject matter in a very non-sensational way, covering all the bases as he does so. His interviews with those who lost pets, those who helped return lost pets and those who stood in their way were both professional and unbiased.

I thoroughly enjoyed the music used in the film. Not only is it engaging, it helps tell the story. Now when I hear a song from the movie, I'm immediately reminded of the scene in which it was heard.

More than anything else, this wonderful film is a call to action for all pet owners to make sure that they're prepared to include the four-legged, slithery or feathered members of their families in their emergency preparedness plans, and to make sure their communities are planning for pets, too.

"An American Opera" is a film I can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who cares about animals and their welfare. It has it's intense moments, so parents will want to screen it before showing it to younger children. It's a great movie, and an important historical document.

Eye opener

[pantheratigris22 · 10/10 · 31 July 2009]

An EXCELLENT film that touched on every emotion I have within, An American Opera effected me deeply. It opened my eyes to the magnitude the crisis Hurricane Katrina had on animals. This film showed how some can be so compassionate, while others respond in a different way, by being so heartless and thinking that by shooting these innocent animals, the problem will go away. This film was so very informative and REAL, not masked by actors, it showed real people from all over, coming together to make a difference in the lives of animals during a crisis. It showed me that I, myself can made a difference. Thank you, Tom McPhee, for opening my eyes and making me realize that something CAN be done. Because of your film, I will be volunteering my time for disaster relief.

It was truth, plain and simple...

[cats-rule13 · 10/10 · 29 July 2009]

Oh my goodness, I loved this movie. It was real. It was truth. And yes, it was operatic. This is not a typical documentary. It never preached to you, it simply showed you what happened after Katrina and leaves you to decide how to feel. Some people have a problem with movies like that because when people see a documentary, they expect to be schooled in something or preached to. This film doesn't do that.

But it does show the whole spectrum of humanity. You have people doing really awful and really amazing things. As someone in animal rescue, this film hits the nail on the head. You see so many horrible and wonderful things and it is both that keep you going.

Most documentaries that I see look like a 60 Minutes news special or A&E Biography: you see lots of shots of people walking up and away from things while a voice over tells you "the facts." An American Opera is more than facts; it's emotion playing out on screen. Most documentaries hit you in the heart; this film hits you in the gut. An American Opera is not for wimps.

You will cry, laugh, get angry, cheer for the heroes, and most of all, you will leave the theater wanting to do something. This film activates you. You leave the film with a sense of personal pride, a self-call to action: one person cannot change the world by helping one animal, but they can change the world of that animal.

A quick note on the soundtrack: the music in this film is in the vein of Garden State – very earthy, organic, and down-to-earth. My iTunes has grown a lot because of the undiscovered, amazing talent this film brings to the big screen.

Truth...

[barking_mad-601-631281 · 10/10 · 6 December 2009]

That was the most emotional roller coaster I have been on.

It was beautifully illustrated, the musical selections fitting, the stories were gut-wrenching. It is truth. I was disgusted by the lack of coordination, yet proud of the many rescue volunteers and the lengths they went to continue to rescue these helpless & sometimes trapped animals.

Tom McPhee unearthed facts I had not known, and exposed them for us... and I became infuriated. I can only hope karma will catch up to them sometime soon.

McPhee covered all sides fairly, giving all a chance to state & justify their strategies .... I absolutely LOVED it. Yet, I remain sickened by the truth it exposes as well. As I believe we have not learned, politics and power will still rule the day for those in higher places than the average rescuer.

I believe as Martin Luther King believed and once said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter". Mr. McPhee has not, and will not remain silent. He teaches us without bias. We need only listen. He simply presents truth, and allows us make our own determinations. Remain silent, or learn.

McPhee created a beautiful documentation of history that many are not aware, but need to be. Every animal lover needs to know this story. And be prepared. Be ready to speak up, to act, to learn, and not repeat mistakes.

I am so happy he created this picture, but I am sure it had it's emotional toll. And I am sure those who lived it, feel it today... as if it were yesterday...

To Mr. Tom McPhee I simply say THANK you for creating this and sharing it with the world. I only hope EVERYONE will see this, and know the truth. Because they need to know the truth. And react. Then act. We cannot afford to make the same mistakes. We cannot call ourselves a humane nation and continue down the same path.

In conclusion I simply state: 2 thumbs & 4 paws up!! ~ Kristy S.