Miss Americana

Miss Americana tries to do everything: celebrity status, personal reflection, growing up, inspiration, and producing music. It doesn't take enough time or have enough thought behind any one idea. It ends up feeling like this is less a documentary and more a Taylor Swift vanity project. I don't hate it by any stretch and I'm sure Taylor Swift fans will eat it up but I wanted it to focus on one thing and nail that thing, whatever it may have been because there are ideas here worth chasing.

The film feels very controlled but at times you wonder if she realised how stuff comes across. You see her performing in childhood videos, her mom applauding everything she does and Taylor stating she was obsessed with attention. Is her mom living vicariously through her? There are also many awkward interactions with her employees in which she seems to want them to be her friends. She seems so lonely. And tone-deaf. Sad music playing over her getting off her private jet is unintentionally funny.

Solid, but for Swifties only. It seems likely - in fact, almost evident - that TaySwi will, at some point, become the first female president of the United States (or one of the first). I'm sure that Kanye would just love that.

Kind of strange. I got the feeling that this movie floats in this weird popstar sphere but isn't aware of it. Everything feels so exclusive, even the scenes in the studio and I suppose they were intended to feel more natural. I guess the reason for this is that Miss Americana never really goes deep and just touches on several topics. Some of them are interesting though and I always appreciate some insights on pop culture.

I though it was a nice behind the scenes. It is a nice portrait.

Yes, it’s the endorsed portrait, but Taylor Swift is important and cool. Deal with it.

Taylor fans may like but I don't know what the point was… D+

Ultimately more interesting for what it inadvertently reveals – Swift has either been damaged extensively by her rise to fame, and/or by an all-consuming need for affirmation (eg. the sheltered reaction to the "boos" following the Kanye West incident). Unfortunately Swift and her support team are presented as laughably clueless narcissists, without insight in their "let them eat cake" ideas and attitudes. A serviceable effort, but there's a more interesting story hiding here.

Tay Tay discovers that there is a limit to being America's favorite girl and has to decide between being everybody's darling and a person that respects herself. Very well done, without making Taylor coming off as too whiney.

A nice film that still feels a little handled

Showcases Taylor Swift's musical talent, from a young age, and how she deals with fame.

Could definitely have been directed and edited better, but it delivers more than one important message, and paints Taylor Swift as the dedicated musician she is.

An informative behind the scenes look at what it's like to be Taylor Swift. Some might consider it a 90-minute commercial, I still found it interesting as a fan of pop sensations and the music industry.

Viewed February 7, 2020.

greatest singer of all time TAYLOR SWIFT.

watchable

A fascinating (and certainly well-curated) look behind the curtain, as a young artist comes to terms with the pitfalls, opportunities and responsibilities of her fame. Even as someone mostly unfamiliar with her work this documentary was well worth watching.

I went into this very skeptical because of how Taylor’s brand is so carefully managed and presented, and there’s definitely some of this in there, but a lot of the political awakening stuff feels genuine. Covers a lot of interesting topics, but unfortunately, barely scratches the surface of any of them. Still, as a portrait of someone who has had a fascinating relationship with the public and media, it was an entertaining watch. And that kitty!! ps I think reputation > 1989, fight me

I try to keep any sociopolitical opinions I have out of these reviews but I have to say, I like Swift's music but when she's spouting off the shallow rhetoric that modern feminism is a slave to she's not very endearing. But besides that, there's real intimacy here and it's well shot. I imagine Swift fans will really like this as it's a good look into her life and whatever struggles she has had. I appreciated the honesty and think she needlessly gets shit on by a loud group of people.

Welcome to the resistance, Miss Swift.