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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: 20th Century Fox
Salesrank: 13723
Released: May 11, 2004 |
| Our Price: $5.85 |
| Used Price: $0.88 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
From Academy Awad Nominee Jim Sheridan comes this deeply personal and poignant tale of a poor Irish family searching for a better life In America. Through the eyes of their spunky daughters, two anguished parents find hope and the ability to once again believe in love and magic…even amidst the dangers of New York's harrowing Hell's Kitchen. With mesmerizing performances by Samantha Morton and Djimon Hounsou, In America is "a classic" (USA Today) you won't ever forget.
Description of In America:
In America stars the incandescent Samantha Morton and Paddy Considine as two young Irish parents who have lost their only son. Trying to run away from their grief, they move (illegally) to a junkie-infested apartment building in New York City with their two daughters, Christy (Sarah Bolger) and Ariel (Emma Bolger). Though they struggle with meager jobs and suffocatingly hot weather, a friendship with an artist in an apartment below them (Djimon Hounsou, Gladiator) becomes a catalyst that allows them to rebuild their family. In America is splendidly acted throughout--of particular note are the two girls, real-life sisters whose on-screen charisma is clearly a family trait. But it's Morton who anchors the movie; her every emotion seems to glow from her skin. The commitment of the actors keeps the movie compelling, despite some dangerously sentimental patches. --Bret Fetzer
In America Reviews:
Wonderful film 
2009-12-26 - One of the most beautiful, moving films I know of. Touching, sad, heroic all at once. To say more would ruin it. But catch Jim Sheridan's commentary. It's just as deep as the film.
A Minor Masterpiece
2009-06-30 - One of the most deeply-felt and moving films of our time. It is about being an alien and loving one's children. It is one of my all-time favorites, and I have sent copies to my daughters.
in america 
2009-05-02 - The audio was poor and the quality of the DVD not good. The story line was interesting but not enjoyable to watch because of the poor quality of the DVD.
Nice Kids, Nice Story
2009-02-23 - This was simply a nice human-interest story.
Basically, it's about a likeable Irish family which immigrates to the United States and resides in New York City. These are poor people, but not the destitute situation of, let's say, the McCourt family from "Angela's Ashes."
What stood out to me were the nice, cute little girls in this family, played by real-life sisters, Emma and Sarah Bolger. They were the kind of sweet kids you wish you'd see more of in modern films. Paddy Considine and Samantha Morton played the parents, "Johnny and Sarah" nicely and Djimon Hounson played the nice neighbor with the strange powers.
Overall, it's a pleasant, positive feel-good film. I've watched it several times and enjoyed it more each time!
From despair to hope . . .
2008-12-07 - As someone who lost a sibling as a child, I can confirm that the sentiments in this movie are right on target. One reviewer criticizes these parents, but misses the point. The ET doll scene is not about ego but about how desperate one father is to heal the hole in his daughter's heart and find a sign that somehow things can turn around and be all right again. Is it a dumb thing to do? Sure. Is it believable under these circumstances? Yes.
The bottom line: This movie is about HEALING. It's amazing these parents could even get out of bed every day. What do they say to do on a plane when the oxygen goes out? Use the mask for yourself first; it's the only way to help your children. These parents are trying to find their way back to the living so they can all be well again. It is portrayed from the eyes of a child, and to me, it looks very very real. This is a movie not about bad parenting but about hope. I wish there were more out there like it.
