Bruce Sweeney’s third feature after DIRTY and LAST WEDDING is his most interesting and ambitious film yet the one that contains the most flaws.  AMRICAN VENUS opens with an over supportive mother, Celia (Rebecca De Mornay) over coaching her daughter, Jenna (Jane McGregor) in figure skating.  After failing in the competition, Jenna escapes from the U.S. to Canada.  Yes, Canada – that strange land where guns are not allowed.  But guns are what keep Celia sane.  Celia shoots out her frustration at a gun range frequently.  Celia drives up to Canada, gets her handgun confiscated and basically stalks her daughter while going crazy as a result of not having a way to vent her frustrations.  All these make excellent fodder to display satirically the differences between the two American neighbours while allowing actress DeMornay to exhibit her acting skills.  De Mornay performs well, creating a totally credible downward spiral to craziness.

The problem with Sweeney’s AMERICAN VENUS is his non attentiveness to details.  Jenna leaves the home taking all her possessions without her mother noticing.  Jenna is nicely holed up in Vancouver with friendly roommates and no work.  Celia’s husband role is under-written.  Yet AMERICAN VENUS is extremely watchable.  Best is Celia’s total ignorance at the border and of Canadian practices.  The best part is the gun shop owner telling Celia that she is unable to buy the weapon because Ottawa, Canada’s capital is screwed up.  At only 82 minutes, one wonders why Sweeney did not expand the film’s length to complete his story showing a better whole.