RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Found a Bug? Squash It! Report Bugs Here
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / In America
In America

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

In America (2003)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
89 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:170

Fresh:151

Rotten:19

Average Rating:7.7/10

Consensus: A rich and moving story about an immigrant family adjusting to life in New York.

Rated: 15 [See Full Rating] for some sexuality, drug references, brief violence and language

Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins

Genre: Dramas

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... 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]

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

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

Director: Jim Sheridan

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

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • In America Trailer
    >
1 of 1

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for In America

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

...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 Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | comment Comment
01/27/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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 Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
01/15/05
Jeffrey Overstreet
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer

In America gets better after a muddled start.

Full Review Source: european-films.net | comment Comment
08/07/04
Boyd van Hoeij
Boyd van Hoeij
european-films.net

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

Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
08/07/04
Peter Rainer
Peter Rainer
New York Magazine

The film's blend of heartbreak and hope is perhaps Sheridan’s greatest achievement, and it gives us a work that’s as lovable as it is challenging.

Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
05/14/04
Forrest Hartman
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal

In America es, hasta el momento, la película más personal del realizador más importante que ha dado el cine de Irlanda en los últimos 15 años.

Full Review Source: Uruguay Total | comment Comment
05/06/04
Enrique Buchichio
Enrique Buchichio
Uruguay Total

Two child actors provide the strongest sense of realty in a disjointed tearjerker, where there’s a disconnect between what is said and what is shown.

Full Review Source: Film-Forward.com | comment Comment
04/09/04
Kent Turner
Kent Turner
Film-Forward.com

A saddening but simultaneously uplifting look at contemporary immigrants, “In America” is bound to make you shed a tear or two.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
04/06/04
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

What could have been an exercise in saccharine schmaltz is saved by the powerful performances of the adults and natural energy of the girls.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas CityLife | comment Comment
03/30/04
Matt Kelemen
Matt Kelemen
Las Vegas CityLife

A rock steady beauty of a picture, this is a delightful holiday film season surprise.

Full Review Source: FilmJerk.com | comment Comment
03/16/04
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
FilmJerk.com

In America is another gem from this great Irish director, and it deserves to be seen no matter what country you’re from.

Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
03/11/04
John R. McEwen
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online

In America is a rose-colored sepia toning of the family's hard-knocked life...But the film has the warmth of the director's passion.

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
03/01/04
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

'Una gratísima sorpresa, una conmovedora historia sobre la vida y un ejemplo de que el cine puede ser tierno de manera inteligente. Una verdadera delicia'

Full Review Source: Moviola | comment Comment
02/25/04
Jorge Avila Andrade
Jorge Avila Andrade
Moviola

Sheridan manages to maintain the delicate balance between the gritty realities of the story he’s telling and the almost fairy-tale-like mysticism

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/10/04
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

Sheridan has found a way to make the audience part of his family - like we are going through the same struggles and the same joy.

Full Review Source: KBTV-NBC (Beaumont, TX) | comment Comment
02/08/04
Danny Minton
Danny Minton
KBTV-NBC (Beaumont, TX)

...To play the two Sullivan daughters, Sheridan casts two real-life sisters, Sarah and Emma Bolger. These moppets are as cute as buttons, and Sheridan uses them to push ours.

Full Review Source: Boulder Weekly | comment Comment
02/06/04
Thomas Delapa
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly

Even the woeful lot from Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes" wouldn't be able to compete in a misery contest with this cursed clan

Full Review Source: Roanoke Times (Virginia) | comment Comment
02/02/04
Beth Jones
Beth Jones
Roanoke Times (Virginia)

...says far more about the American experience than any of the jingoistic anthems on the radio or the pre-packaged patriotic speeches on the campaign trail.

Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
01/29/04
James Sanford
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sunday Times (Australia) | comment Comment
01/27/04
Sunday Times (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Rather than bury the material, Sheridan's fairy tale approach uses myth to find deeper truth: navigating strife with human faith.

Full Review Source: Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia) | comment Comment
01/19/04
Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
all

Latest News for In America

July 24, 2006: Kid Stars Sign Up for "Spiderwick"
Young actors Freddie Highmore ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") and Sarah Bolger ("In America") have signed to star in Paramount's big-screen rendition... More...

April 13, 2006: Rogue Shows Some Fuzz Love
Read on for a very formal press release from Rogue Pictures, the ultimate gist of which is this: Rogue, which is the "genre arm" of Universal Pictures, will distribute... More...

November 11, 2005: In Other News..."Get Rich" Suffers From PA Shooting
An abysmally low Tomatometer and offensive billboards aren't the only problems plaguing this week's Jim Sheridan-50 Cent release, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" -- one... More...

August 04, 2005: Trailer Bulletin: Get Rich or Die Tryin'
From Jim Sheridan, the director of "In America" and "My Left Foot," comes the big-screen tale of Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's bitter life on the... More...

See All

More DVDs

Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
36% 36% Angels & Demons
25% 25% Four Christmases
68% 68% Funny People
95% 95% Star Trek
14% 14% The Ugly Truth

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
32% 32% Terminator Salvation
44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…
86% 86% A Christmas Tale
60% 60% Paper Heart

More New Releases…

What’s Hot On RT

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

5 facts straight from the cast.

Disney Animation

Disney Animation

We chart the studio's classics.

Avatar

Avatar

An exclusive look at the human hardware.

Eric Bana

Eric Bana

The Star Trek star talks cars with RT.

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Spielberg Hops Away from Harvey Source: Variety
19
  • Tarantino Could Have Directed Green Lantern Source: MTV
24
  • Will Duvall be Gilliam's Don Quixote? Source: Collider.com
26
  • No Hobbit Until 2012? Source: The Wrap
22
  • Don't Hold Your Breath for Hancock 2 Source: HitFix
42
  • Peter Berg Talks Battleship Source: CHUD
2
  • Summit Ponders Twilight Finale Source: Variety
159
  • First Look at Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Source: USA Today
56
  • Jeremy Renner Talks Hawkeye Possibilities Source: Superhero Hype
14
  • Todd Phillips Talks The Hangover 2 Source: Entertainment Weekly
18
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Total Recall: Natalie Portman's Best Movies
69
  • 10 Horrifically Profitable Films
45
  • Five Favorite Films with Jason Reitman
45
  • Critics Consensus: Everybody's Fine Is Just OK
43
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Vampires and Football Break Thanksgiving Records
42
  • Five Favorite Films with Jesse Ventura
39
  • Sundance 2010: RT's 10 Most Anticipated Movies
24
  • Awards Tour: National Board of Review Winners List!
23
  • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Terminator Salvation and a Smithsonian Battle
22
  • Weekly Ketchup: Tron Team to Remake The Black Hole
18
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
21
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
22
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
9
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
  • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
28
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

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

Fresh Links

Featured
RT on YouTube
RT on YouTube External Link

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

RT on Twitter
RT on Twitter External Link

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.