In America (2002)

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writers (WGA):

Jim Sheridan (written by) &
Naomi Sheridan (written by) ...

Release Date:

31 October 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

An Irish immigrant family adjusts to life in the United States.

Plot Keywords:

Neighbor | Flag | Voice Over Narration | Irish Catholic | Swimsuit

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 18 wins & 33 nominations

Cast

Paddy Considine	...	Johnny
Samantha Morton	...	Sarah
Sarah Bolger	...	Christy
Emma Bolger	...	Ariel
Neal Jones	...	Immigration Officer #1
Randall Carlton	...	Immigration Officer #2
Ciaran Cronin	...	Frankie
Djimon Hounsou	...	Mateo
Juan Carlos Hernández	...	Papo (as Juan Hernandez)
Nye Heron	...	Blind Man
Jason Salkey	...	Tony
Rene Millan	...	Steve
Sara James	...	Papo's Girlfriend
Bob Gallico	...	Theatre Director
Jason Killalee	...	Assistant Theatre Director

Also Known As:

East of Harlem (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality, drug references, brief violence and language. (edited version)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

UK | Ireland

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | Malaysia:(Banned) | Iceland:12 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Denmark:7 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 (bw) | Netherlands:MG6 | Norway:11 | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:M18 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 (edited for re-rating) (certificate #39306) | USA:R (original rating) | Ireland:12PG

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios - Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

The street fair scene was filmed on Parnell Street in Dublin, Ireland. The street was closed for three days for filming. A closed burger shop was used as a green room for cold extras.

Goofs:

In the shop in New York, a neon sign in the background reads "Take Away" which is actually the European phrase for take out food, and the sugar packets on the tables are tubes, which are also used mostly in Europe.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Christy: [voiceover] There's some things you should wish for and some things you shouldn't. That's what my little brother Frankie told me. He told me I only had three wishes, and I looked into his eyes, and I don't know why I believed him.

Movie Connections:

References Star Wars (1977)

Soundtrack:

The Fly

True to life, true to people, true to emotion, true to the audience.

"In America" is a rare film that brought out more emotion in me than I would have thought possible. The pull of the film lies in the brilliant acting from Sarah & Emma Bolger, Paddy Considine, Samantha Morton, and Djimon Hounsou, under the expect hand of Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father).

I've seen several stories of immigration, but none so heartfelt and wonderful as this one. Even through the most difficult times, you can look through the eyes of Christy and Ariel, and see the big picture, all the wonderful things about life, and how truly great it is in the end.

A lot of the praise should go to Jim & Naomi Sheridan for their wonderful script, but the film may have fallen flat without the amazing eye that Declan Quinn has for cinematography. "In America" is recommended for anyone and everyone.

9.1 out of 10