I rarely give out a perfect rating to any film as my standards (albeit minimum in criteria) are high in my expectations of a seamless picture: keep my attention; make me think; be unpredictable; give me a reason to rewatch this.  

American Trash hits the mark on all cylinders and relentlessly suffocates you with anguish and despair.  

Army veteran, Milles (the brilliant Robert LaSardo) is a broken man who struggles with PTSD, constant flashbacks and endless torment. His mind studies his surroundings with relentless scorn created by the inability of those trying to escape the hopelessness that clearly controls him. It’s immediately bleak and uncomfortable for Milles to find a positive meaning in anything he does, including cleaning up garbage to preserve an old relic cave in the woods. Until one day, he meets a pretty, hippy girl named Melissa, and his hope is restored as light enters his world.  

Melissa (a perky Lorelei Linklater) opens the lost soul of Milles through environmental activities, deep discussions of troubling war trauma, and listening to the spoken word of Charles Manson. The darkness slowly lifts between the two lovers and compassion guides them into an infinite bond. Just when the beauty of nature and innocence of affection calm the tumultuous Milles, his serenity is destroyed by a sudden tragic event, sending Milles into a ruthless spiral beyond the misery he has ever felt.  

LaSardo’s performance is genuine, authentic and incredibly raw. Watching the joy deteriorate from his face, and seeing the inevitable behind his now empty stare, will chill your bones. He has mastered the craft of expressing so much emotion through very little action. The rage and vulnerability are perfected with a painful existence that eventually explodes in a very disturbing tactic to help heal his excruciating agony. Lorelei’s’ wide-eyed Melissa complements the shattered war vet through pretenses of safety, care and pure love.  What may look like an odd couple, makes sense when the layers of each character are peeled away, exposing their flaws in mutual acceptance.  

This director’s cut from the creative genius and first-time director Robert LaSardo brings an edgy and controversial sharpness which touches on several taboo subjects including the compositions of well-known madman, Charles Manson. Manson’s “appearance” serves as a binder between the protagonist figure and his newfound love, striking sensitive chords for those who can’t identify wisdom behind the media’s created personification of a two-bit cult leader and sociopath.  

American Trash is an illustration of mental breakdown brought on by a lifetime of suffering. You can feel the demons rising in madness, with a shocking finale that will tear your heart out. It’s raw, powerful and depressing.  And take it from me…you’ll want to watch every nerve-wracking moment.