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In America

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In America (2003)

89%
80%
94%
N/A
N/A
N/A
89 %
Reviews Counted: 167 Fresh: 148  Rotten:19 Average Rating: 7.7/10
 
Consensus: A rich and moving story about an immigrant family adjusting to life in New York.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Rated: 15

Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins

Theatrical Release: 31-10-2003

Synopsis: From master storyteller Jim Sheridan ("My Left Foot," "In The Name of the Father") comes a deeply personal and emotionally raw tale of a family finding its soul IN AMERICA. Through the wide-open eyes of two young heroines, Sheridan transforms a devastating human tragedy into a riveting,... From master storyteller Jim Sheridan ("My Left Foot," "In The Name of the Father") comes a deeply personal and emotionally raw tale of a family finding its soul IN AMERICA. Through the wide-open eyes of two young heroines, Sheridan transforms a devastating human tragedy into a riveting, humor-tinged story about memory, secrets, love, loss, coming together and starting over. To begin all over again is a classic American dream. But it's remarkably hard to do, as Irish émigrés Johnny and Sarah (PADDY CONSIDINE and SAMANTHA MORTON) discover when they hit the streets of modern-day Manhattan, their two spunky young daughters in tow, and emerge into a realm as comical and adventure-filled as it is strange and terrifying. The family faces a dizzying new future –- but first they must face down a past that haunts every single one of them. With no cash to spare, Johnny and Sarah settle into a chaotic New York tenement populated by a colorful assortment of characters – and attempt to turn a Gothic horror-movie setting into a true home. From dragging an iffy-looking air conditioner across Manhattan to finding make-do jobs, nothing comes without a fight for the couple. And yet, while they see America as rife with challenges, dangers and weirdness, their daughters see it as a magical place where anything can happen, a place that might release them all from the anguish of what has come before. Then, on Halloween, Christy and Ariel (sisters SARAH and EMMA BOLGER) dare to knock on the door of "the screaming man," a mysterious neighbor named Mateo (DJIMON HOUNSOU), and everything changes. As the family heads for a crisis, Mateo becomes their unlikely ally in the territory where hope, faith and even magic hold sway. Based in part on Jim Sheridan's own autobiographical experiences coming to the United States, IN AMERICA is directed by Sheridan from a script by Sheridan and his two daughters, Naomi Sheridan and Kirsten Sheridan. The cast includes Academy Award® nominee for "Sweet and Lowdown" Samantha Morton ("Minority Report"), Paddy Considine ("24 Hour Party People"), Djimon Hounsou ("Amistad," "Gladiator") and sisters Sara Bolger ("A Love Divided") and Emma Bolger (in her feature film debut). The film is produced by Jim Sheridan and Arthur Lappin. -- © Fox Searchlight [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Paddy Considine, Samantha Morton, Djimon Hounsou, Sarah Bolger, Emma Bolger

Director: Jim Sheridan
Screenwriter: Naomi Sheridan, Kirsten Sheridan
Producer: Arthur Lappin, Jim Sheridan
Composer: Gavin Friday, Maurice Seezer

DVD Info

Release:

Jul 8, 2006

[DVD Details]

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
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N/R

The movie lacks conviction from implausible beginning to sentimental end.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/17/07
Philip French
Observer [UK]
Ratings Image
4/5

Lovingly shot, with a remarkable debut from Sarah Bolger, who along with sister Emma, gives one of the greatest ever child performances.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/30/06
Emma Cochrane
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

The pairing of two brilliant, loose-cannon actors gets the film a long way.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
2/5

Jim Sheridan's sentimental heartwarmer of a story about an immigrant Irish family in modern New York is frankly manipulative and contrived.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/15/04
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

After 30 minutes, the plot takes over. And it's embarrassingly easy to see where truth ends and Sheridan's invention begins.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/01/03
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]
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4/5

It's flawed but still wonderful.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/28/03
Jamie Russell
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
4/5

Brilliantly acted, well directed drama that’s both extremely moving and full of warmth and humour.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/22/03
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
Ratings Image
N/A

It all makes for a curious and uneven mix of social realism and childlike whimsy.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/12/03
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
4/5

For a story about normal, everyday life (and death), this is an extraordinary film, really.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/11/03
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
Ratings Image
N/A

The result is a blend of kitchen-sink and magical realism: sentimental, but well acted and freshly observed.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/17/07
Meredith Brody
Chicago Reader
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3.5/4

A sappy, self-congratulatory tale of triumph of penniless newcomers over every sort of adversity, and a close brush with death every time they set foot outside of their apartment.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/22/07
Kam Williams
Princeton Town Topics
Ratings Image
3.5/5

In America contains enough magic and sincerity to cover the proverbial multitude of cinematic sins.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/05
Bob Westal
Film Threat
Ratings Image
3/5

A solid, if unspectacular family film.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/05
Merle Bertrand
Film Threat
Ratings Image
B+

Superbly evokes the depression, anxiety, joy, misery, and aggravation of family life.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/04/05
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
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3.5/5

A genuinely touching movie about a family that doesn't condescend to audiences or wrap its lessons into neat, tidy packages.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/05/05
Ethan Alter
NYC Film Critic
Ratings Image
8/10

Sheridan should also be applauded for keeping the film going at a nice pace, sprinkling it with many lighter moments, as well as one of the more suspenseful scenes from any movie last year.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/05/05
JoBlo
JoBlo's Movie Emporium
Ratings Image
A-

...a scrapbook of family history that has gained poignancy through the showing and telling but remains recognizably a family story rather than a myth or epic.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/27/05
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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A

Sheridan stares the scary questions in the face, admits that he cannot answer all of them, and yet offers glimmers of hope and a generous helping of uplifting humor.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/15/05
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
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N/A

In America gets better after a muddled start.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/07/04
Boyd van Hoeij
european-films.net
Ratings Image
N/A

At its best, the movie has a supernal glow that you can practically warm your hands by.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/07/04
Peter Rainer
New York Magazine
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Around the Network

• In America at Rotten Tomatoes
• In America at IGN
• In America at AskMen
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