Western starring Sydney Sweeney, inspired by Dolly Parton, may gain from advertising controversy: analyst
In the small town of South Dakota, a Western heist film titled Americana (2023) is set to hit theaters on Dec. 25. The movie, directed by Tony Tost, stars Sydney Sweeney as Penny Jo Poplin, a small-town diner waitress with dreams of becoming a country singer. The film also features a strong ensemble cast, including pop singer Halsey, Eric Dane, Zahn McClarnon, and Simon Rex.
The plot revolves around the pursuit of a rare Native American artifact, the Lakota Ghost Shirt, which has fallen onto the black market. Penny Jo and Lefty Ledbetter (played by Paul Walter Hauser) embark on a risky plan to steal the shirt for cash to help Penny Jo escape to Nashville.
However, the film's release has been met with controversy, with some people criticizing the American Eagle ad campaign for alleged racial undertones. Eric Schiffer, a PR expert, believes that the backlash could potentially increase Sweeney's net worth by up to $5 million, as Hollywood execs see her as a polarizing star with a marketing punch that sells.
Despite the controversy, reviews for Americana have been mixed to positive. The film is praised for its strong ensemble cast, particularly Sweeney's performance as Penny Jo, and the mix of humor, drama, and pulpy Western thrills. The direction by Tony Tost is noted for its stylish storytelling and surprising emotional depth, although some criticize uneven character development and underutilization of Sweeney’s character.
The IMDb rating currently stands at 5.9/10 based on both critic and user reviews, indicating mixed to positive reception. Overall, Americana is recognized as a gritty, engaging exploration of greed, identity, and survival in modern middle America with standout performances and a layered narrative.
In addition to Americana, Sweeney is set to return for the third season of the hit HBO series "Euphoria," aiming for a 2026 release. She is also starring as real-life former professional boxer Christy Martin in the upcoming biographical sports drama "Christy." Sweeney produced "Christy" through her company, Fifty-Fifty Films, along with several other production companies.
The movie originally premiered at the 2023 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival. Honig compared the American Eagle ad campaign to controversial advertising campaigns in the past, such as Calvin Klein's campaign featuring Brooke Shields and Gloria Vanderbilt's advertising campaign, which were successful in generating discussion and notice.
Americana serves as a testament to Sweeney's versatility as an actress, as she continues to take on diverse roles and push boundaries in her career. The film's release on Dec. 25 promises to be an exciting addition to the holiday movie season.
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