A solid documentary about an amazing human being.
The application of "animation" over a more talking heads approach seems like a misstep but in the grand scheme of things it's the words, the story, the man's work that stands out.

A novel approach to Bill Hicks' story, using animated photographs and home video footage to illustrate his life and career. The fact that most, if not all, contributors are friends and family does perhaps slant things in one direction, though everyone is very honest about his success and failure. Would have liked to see more about why he held the views he did, but perhaps that's just too personal?

The odd unearthed clip aside, this documentary is a strangely unilluminating affair, utilising a pretty amateurish effect that brings old photos to unconvincing life. You'd be better off reading the Cynthia True book and picking up the records and DVDs of Hicks' act instead. His routines are still pretty damn great; well, when he's not babbling on about subjective consciousness like a stoned adolescent. The film itself isn't bad, just kind of ordinary.

Comes off more as a home movie than an actual documentary, and how many times can you use an animated 2D picture until it gets old? (Once!)

More crap can be found here: frothygirlz.com/2010/03/13/sxsw-review-american-the-bill-hicks-story/

A great tribute to the amazing Bill Hicks, but I found the animation to get somewhat repetitive by the second hour.

A pretty solid documentary on Bill Hicks. It is definitely done from an uncritical fan perspective, but it's informative enough about his rise in comedy to make it worth watching (especially if you're a fan).

I think this film misses the point about Bill Hicks. Forget that he was a prophet or a preacher or a poet... I don't think this focuses on my favorite part about Bill Hicks. He was just fuckin' funny.

Whenever we see footage of Hicks, it's great. But the rest of the film takes itself WAY too seriously.

THE best stand up comedian ever! A well told story of bill hick's life and work.

Pretty good doco.

I've always enjoyed Bill Hicks' comedy, and didn't know much about his life and was keen to learn about the man.

I was a bit frustrated any annoyed with the animated photos used throughout the film, and heavily in the first half. I was also expecting more footage of his live routines.

I really wanted to enjoy this doco, however I came away somewhat underwhelmed and thinking that the film didn't quite do the man justice.

Still miss you, Bill.

Technically well crafted but doesn't serve as well as it should to those unfamiliar with the legacy of Bill Hicks as well as I'd hoped for