The Bottom Line
Pros
- A great story of love, family and faith
- Compelling entertainment with a terrific cast
- Large collection of bonus features for an indie film
Cons
- None worth noting
Description
- 9 deleted scenes and the original ending, with optional commentary by writer/director Jim Sheridan
- Optional feature commentary by Jim Sheridan
- 'Making Of' - 5 minute featurette with cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
- Widescreen and full screen formats
- DVD Release Date: May 11, 2004
Guide Review - "In America" DVD Review
"In America" follows the story of an Irish family who comes to America dirt poor and tries to make their way in New York City. After suffering a devastating loss, Johnny (Paddy Considine) and Sarah (Samantha Morton) move their two young daughters - Christy (Sarah Bolger) and Ariel (Emma Bolger) - into a rundown apartment full of tenants in similar financial straits. Also living in the apartment building is Mateo (Djimon Hounsou), a strange man who doesn't like company and wants to be left alone.While Johnny looks for acting jobs, Sarah takes a job in the local ice cream shop. The girls try to make the best of it, attempting to fit in at their new school without much luck. Their little family changes when Christy and Ariel go out on their first Halloween of trick or treating and discover Mateo is a gentle soul whose impact on the family has far-reaching affects.
I'm not usually a big fan of kid actors. They have a tendency to be too sweet or too artificial. However, the Bolger sisters are definite exceptions to that rule. These young ladies steal the show from the adult actors. That's not to say the adults are slackers, it's just these two girls are that good.
Writer/director Jim Sheridan based this movie on his own family and that helps lend an air of truth and honesty to the film. Pick this one up when you're ready for something real - and when you have a box of tissues nearby.
