Parents' Guide to Americana

This violent, bloody tale is an uneven but entertaining blend of heist thriller, modern Western, and social commentary. With intersecting storylines and shifting loyalties, Americana juggles multiple small-town characters, from Penny Jo and her customer-turned-smitten regular, Lefty, to professional thieves and a rebellious girlfriend with a young brother. Director Tony Tost, making his feature debut behind the camera, seems inspired by Pulp Fiction-style storytelling—the story is nonlinear and violent and prominently features pop culture references.

Despite solid performances from Sweeney and Hauser, as well as a standout supporting turn by Zahn McClarnon, the story's casual depiction of violence is particularly unsettling when it involves a child and women abuse survivors. And while Tost uses the heist structure to explore various sociopolitical themes, the sprawling plot, the White boy who thinks he's Sitting Bull, and the characters' general moral ambiguity make it difficult to root for any faction (even Lefty and Penny Jo) except the Native American activists and the oppressed women. Still, although Americana's narrative doesn't always come together, it's got enough pluck—and compelling standoffs—to make for a decent heist flick.