American Anthem

Albert Magnoli – 1986 – USA

I didn’t see this movie in the 80s, so I have no special nostalgia about laughing at its unintentially comical earnestness.  Made when the 80s were at their most “80s;” 1985-1986, caught in the throes of exaggerated patriotism in the wake of Reagan’s re-election, Stallone’s various Rocky and Rambo movies, and the recent Olympics held in Los Angeles, American Anthem throws up pretty much everything stereotypically “80s” in an insane attempt to make gymnastics seem cool.  With it’s hilariously low 2.9 rating on IMDb, the film seems to have survived only meagerly as a camp classic.  Mostly it’s just remembered as memorably bad.  Directed by Albert Magnoli presumably on the basis of having done Purple Rain (1984) and being so ready and willing to drag into cinema the elements of music videos that were then so new and taking over the world.  Real-life Olympian Mitch Gaylord was truly bad as an actor, in an embarrassing-bad rather than a funny-bad way; (he only appeared in a handful more film roles of diminishing importance).  Everything in it is bizarre, awkward and seems pieced together like Frankenstein’s monster from assorted TV movies; except not all the same genre, but a comedy here, an inspirational sports film here, a crappy family melodrama there…