In America

Released 2002
Stars Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Sarah Bolger, Emma Bolger, Djimon Hounsou
Directed by Jim Sheridan

Johnny and Sarah (Paddy Considine and Samantha Morton), along with their two young daughters, Christie (Sarah Bolger) and Ariel (Emma Bolger), have arrived in the United States from Ireland via Canada. They have left behind not only everything they knew, but raw memories of a son whose tragic death still haunts them. With all of their worldly possessions in a station wagon, they arrive at a dilapidated New York City apartment that they struggle to make into a home. It isn't easy - nor is getting money to pay the rent. Johnny finds that rejection is a way of life for a would-be actor. Sarah becomes the family breadwinner by working as a waitress at a local ice cream parlor. The unexpected friendship shown by the mysterious Mateo (Djimon Hounsou) represents a turning point in the family's attempts to cope with their new life and come to grips with the ghosts that still haunt them.

There are two key differences between In America and a "typical" film about immigrants living in America. In the first place, the setting is contemporary. Most movies contemplating this subject take us back to the early 1900s, when Ellis Island was brimming with optimistic newcomers. (It's worth noting that there isn't a single shot of the Statue of Liberty in In America, even though most of the film takes place not far away.) Secondly, the movie is not relentlessly depressing, as many immigrant stories are. Sheridan, who is known as a political filmmaker, does not advance a cause. Instead, he focuses on the push-pull forces that simultaneously bind Johnny and Sarah's family and threaten to tear them apart. In America is filled with small moments of tragedy and triumph - much as is the case in real life. Those in search of a depressing tale of crushed dreams will need to look elsewhere.

Summary by James Berardinelli

This movie didn't do much for me, because it felt like a stretched short story. There are nice moments and excellent acting, but there didn't seem to be a real point. The main point was for Johnny to come to terms with the death of his son, but I didn't really see that happen. It seemed forced, but then the whole movie was rather manipulative. I can see where people would like it, though, since it's optimistic despite all the family's troubles. --Bill Alward, May 23, 2004