| Reviewed on 2003-12-29 |
|---|
| Rated | PG-13 |
| Received |  [3] out of 4 stars |
| Genre | Drama / Romance |
| Website | http://www.foxsearchlight.com/inamerica |
|
| Irish director Jim Sheridan spins a story based on his own experiences as a young emigrant in New York City. Paddy Consodine and Emily Morton play a couple trying to survive with two young girls on Manhattan's rough streets. This delightful film is sure to please. It is based on director Jim Sheridan's own experiences. In the film Johnny the father (Paddy) wants to pursue an acting career, while his wife, Sarah (Samantha Morton) works in a neighborhood ice cream shop. They decorate their grungy apartment in a way to make it feel like home. The spirit of the family fills the place with love and affection you can feel. Johnny and Sarah's two daughters, Christy and Ariel are outstanding. Christy is 10 and very responsible. She uses a camcorder to record the world around her. Ariel is about 6 and is very friendly. The girls are played by real life sisters Sarah and Emma Bolger, which explain the dynamics between the two. We see how each family member copes with the loss of a son back in Ireland. The father shows how much he loves his family when he risks all their money to win a doll for Aries, or when he lugs an air conditioner across town and up stairs to comfort them. Morton is wonderful as the grieving mother. This is a story about a family emerging from grief and bonding together to make a new and fulfilling life in America. |
|
