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Image and video hosting by TinyPic Cast: Val Kilmer, Cloris Leachman, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Diane Ladd, Rip Torn, Peter Falk, Bruce Dern, Priscilla Barnes, Hanna R. Hall, Blake Clark

Director: Mark David

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Year: 2009

Rating: R

In Blythe, California, a small town in the remote California desert, Ethan Inglebrink is an eccentric, agoraphobic heroin addict who is obsessed with his garden. After convincing his senior poker buddies that he is diabetic, in order to explain his frequent use of syringes, Ethan shoots up while trying to win poker money to fund his gardening hobby and drug use. Nearing eviction, Ethan gardens furiously in hopes of winning the $10,000 first prize in the "Garden of the Year" contest so he can pay his delinquent rent. Between sugar-munching binges and exchanges with a motley crew of neighbors, Ethan tries to grow the perfect "American cowslip", a beautiful, rare flower that will be the centerpiece of his garden and the floral representation of his life. When his efforts are thwarted by his landlord/high school football coach/next door neighbor, Trevor O'Hart, Ethan faces eviction and the loss of his beloved garden, his sanity and the camaraderie he shares with his best friend and poker buddy, Roe. Believing he has finally found true love, Ethan unknowingly expedites his own demise when he reciprocates the affections of Georgia, a beautiful seventeen-year old girl who lives across the street and dreams of leaving Blythe and her abusive father behind. Head to head in a hilarious battle of the gardens with Trevor, Ethan must rise to the occasion and fix the life that he has screwed up so badly and save Georgia. He decides that if he's going down, then he's going down in style.

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This is one of those movies you don't want to read about much, it is better to just sit back and go for the ride. The film is about a man that has problems that are both mentally and abusive, it is a problem he could fix if he was willing to get some help. At times hilarious but the film also has a darker side to it which is a bit sad too. The filmmakers could not of picked a better cast to play these off-the-wall characters, Ronnie Gene Blevins is terrific as Ethan. He reminded me of a young Bobcat Goldthwait in both looks and the way he acted. The supporting cast is a list of some great veteran talent that includes, Val Kilmer, Cloris Leachman, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Diane Ladd, Peter Falk, Bruce Dern, Priscilla Barnes, Hanna R. Hall, Blake Clark and Rip Torn who just about steals the show here as his landlord. The film is a lesson in addiction, it tells us all that everyone is addicted to something whether it be drugs, past glory and even love. What I liked the most about the film besides it's wonderful cast was that it managed to get it's point across in a way that still remained entertaining and often times hilarious with forcing it's message. This isn't going to be a movie for everyone, some will not get the brand of comedy or might me offended by Ethan's drug addiction but if you are looking for something different then I would have to say this is the film for you. American Cowslip is a well-written, original and refreshing dark comedy that I couldn't take my eyes off of. The story is simple but it's told in a way that captivates you, you know Ethan is doing wrong but you can't help loving him and you hang on in hopes everything will work out for him in the end and in a way I guess it does.

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The film deals with serious problems in our world today such as mental health issues and addiction but it manages to do it in a way that entertains the audience as well, I had a great time watching this and it's cast of veteran actors. If you are looking for something different and funny then I recommend picking this one up today. You can order the DVD HERE.

Released by E1 Entertainment

**** Out Of *****