In America

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
In America Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Moving but slightly graphic; mature teens only.

PG-13 2003 103 minutes
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

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.

Community Reviews

Timturk59
Timturk59 Adult
May 25, 2020
age 13+

A good movie for family discussion

I can’t believe that whoever wrote on this does not feel that there are any positive characters or messages in this movie. Mateo is an extremely positive character, seemingly troubled at first, but one of those “got to get to know them” people. The two little girls, one who is the narrator for the movie, almost the utmost definition of positive. The positive message of never letting life get you down. It could always be worse, but especially if you stop trying. Facing what you don’t want of face can sometimes be that roadblock, which in a moment in the movie, becomes a center of that theme. Whoever commented and rated this for Common Sense, please be sure from now on you eat or whatever you need to do to be in a better mood when you are reviewing to be a critic. As for the age, this movie, though it has very young characters in the movie, is definitely not for younger viewers, not so much for content, sex scenes can be fast forwarded through and doing so in the case of this movie will take nothing away from the plot. But the themes in this movie are much to complex for younger viewers, harder to judge if they get it. But definitely a movie that can be watched with your teenagers and good for long discussions afterwards.
Clairecsf
Clairecsf Adult
May 29, 2011
age 17+

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.
See all 5 parent reviews

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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.

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

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    The Namesake

    Fabulous immigrant-family saga to see with teens.

    age 14+

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