Penny Jo (Sydney Sweeney) is one of many colorful characters chasing after a valuable Native American artifact in “Americana.” Courtesy of Lionsgate

“Americana” — 1.5 stars

The crowded western crime noir “Americana” has had a curious journey to your local theater.

Filmed in early 2022 and premiered at the SXSW festival in 2023, it’s getting a theatrical release on the heels of a headline-grabbing controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney and a jeans ad she did for American Eagle. Accordingly, Sweeney, who has made a name for herself on TV’s “White Lotus” and “Euphoria,” is front and center in the movie’s publicity materials, even if she’s one of many characters here and not the most important one. And even if, it has to be said, she gives the weakest performance in the movie.

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