 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
In America
- Review Date: May 18, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
Moving but slightly graphic; mature teens only.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie includes strong language, drinking, smoking, and drug use, violence, and very sad deaths. There's a sexual situation (and resulting childbirth). Tense moments include a violent confrontation and a serious health problem.
What's the story?
Screenwriter/director Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot) tells the story of his family's move to from Ireland to America as something of a fairy tale set in a sweltering and grimy apartment building where even the kind-hearted drug addicts help look out for the children. Johnny (Paddy Considine) and Sarah (Samantha Morton) move to New York with their daughters Ariel and Christy (real-life sisters Emma and Sarah Bolger), still shell-shocked from the loss of their son, Frankie. Sarah is a teacher and Johnny is an actor, but the only jobs they can get are waitress and cab driver. They are struggling, sometimes even desperate and their surroundings are often sordid. But we see the story through the eyes of 11-year-old Christy and she makes it all magical. The girls insist on trick-or-treating in their apartment building, even at the door with a "keep away" sign, the home of an angry neighbor named Mateo (Djimon Hounsou). And he turns out to be not mean, just angry, bitter, and lonely -- except that with the girls he is exquisitely tender.
Is it any good?
Indeed, the entirety of IN AMERICA is exquisitely tender. The girls' sense of wonder brings a softness and a glow to whatever they see, whether it is a street fair or a broken-down air conditioner. Lovely, touching performances by all, especially the Bolger sisters and Hounsou, add delicacy and lyricism. The story may be predictable and it teeters on the edge of corniness with its references to angels and aliens. But thankfully it is messy and episodic enough to capture the attention and even the heart.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Christy thinks that Frankie can grant her three wishes and about the different ways that each character responds to the loss of someone important to them.
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AGE
In America good movie
This movie, I Think is a very good movie. But talk to your older children about it afterwards...I would not recommend it for young children.
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AGE
really good but excitingly sad
i loev this movie and it is so sad! sob sob sob!!!
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AGE
Moving, Family Values
The themes in this movie are intense but really meaningful and speak to family values and what life is about. There were many times I thought something bad was going to happen and it just didn't - so watch knowing things are okay. Even the death scene is handled with love and respect. It is a wonderful movie for anyone with daughters, anyone who's had to live through a loss and who understand how love wills out over all things. Bring Kleenex.
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AGE
Very moving film
I agree with one of the other reviewers - what you expect will not necessarily happen so keep watching. And get out the tissues! This movie deals with big themes - poverty, social isolation, illness, death - making it a very useful vehicle for discussing tough subjects with your teenager. There is a pretty intense sex scene that you may want to fast forward but overall, it's an excellent film. The fact that it's a true story makes it all the more powerful.
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AGE
Sweet, odd
The children were the high point of the film. I told my middle-school-aged daughters to hide their eyes during the sex scene. Otherwise, although the story was a combination of gritty and unreal, it was heart-warming.
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| Studio: | Fox Searchlight |
| Director: | Jim Sheridan |
| Cast: | Paddy Considine, Samantha Morton, Sarah Bolger |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 103 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 26, 2003 |
| DVD release date: | May 11, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some sexuality, drug references, brief violence and language |
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