TV
2009 Fall Season
2009 Summer Season
2008-09 Midseason
2008 Fall Season
2008 Summer Season
Best Of 2008
Best Of 2007
Best Of 2006
Best Of 2005
Recent/Upcoming
Movies & Specials
46
The Prisoner
AMC, 11/15
73
Collision
PBS, 11/15
70
Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags
HBO, 10/19
84
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
IFC, 10/18
80
Occupation
BBC America, 10/18
Recent/Upcoming
Series Premieres
47
The Wanda Sykes Show
Fox,
Saturday
67
V
ABC,
Tuesday
54
The League
FX,
Thursday
81
Friday Night Lights Season Four
DirecTV 101,
Wednesday
77
Endgame
PBS,
Sunday
78
White Collar
USA,
Friday
20
The Jeff Dunham Show
Comedy Central,
Thursday
47
Lock 'n Load
Showtime,
Wednesday
74
30 Rock Season Four
NBC,
Thursday
65
Nip/Tuck Season Six
FX,
Wednesday
49
Secret Girlfriend
Comedy Central,
Wednesday
62
Sherri
Lifetime,
Monday
48
Three Rivers
CBS,
Sunday
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed shows.
America
EMAILPRINTMOVIE: Lifetime, Saturday 2/28 at 9:00p (120 minutes)
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 7 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 25 votes
Read user comments
Rate this show >
Show Info
Genre(s): Drama
Created By: E.R. Frank (novel)
First Air Date: February 28, 2009
Summary
Starring Rosie O'Donnell, Philip Johnson, Raquel Castro, Timothy Edward Rhoze, Jade Yorker, and Ruby Dee
In the movie based on E.R. Frank's novel, Dr. Brennan (Rosie O'Donnell) helps 17-year-old America (Philip Johnson) come to terms with his past before he is "aged out" of the foster care system.
Episode Guide & More Info: More about this show at TV.com
Also On The Web: Official Show Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment WeeklyTim Stack
The script can become a tad preachy and heavy-handed at times (particularly O'Donnell's final voice-over), but there are enough emotionally honest moments to make America soar.
Read Full Review >Hollywood ReporterRay Richmond
Her script, co-written with Emmy-nominated veteran scribe Joyce Eliason, pushes all of the proper buttons in making its symbolic points, while Yves Simoneau's direction is steady and strong.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Daily NewsEllen Gray
America, which begins and ends with a heavy-handed voiceover by O'Donnell, begs to be compared to those issues-oriented morality plays. But those of us old enough to remember them [after-school specials] should also be old enough to acknowledge that they weren't all bad.
Read Full Review >VarietyBrian Lowry
Director Yves Simoneau, O'Donnell and veteran TV movie scribe Joyce Eliason deal sensitively with the issues of abuse, but the story feels rushed in places.
Read Full Review >Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert
The atmosphere of America is, like America himself, ponderous and weighty, and it successfully manages to evoke the pall of this one foster kid's personal hell.
Read Full Review >NewsdayVerne Gay
America is dark, grim and downbeat, but it also wants to grab you by the heart and insist that America's plight is, in fact, the country's plight. This film's reach, however, exceeds its grasp.
Read Full Review >New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley
It's preachy and predictable, with a script so stiff the actors also never get a real chance to loosen up.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this show is 9.8 (out of 10) based on 25 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Jenna L gave it a10:
Wonderful beautiful movie, i can relate a lot to. It helps ppl have a voice that went through the same rough spots as America, i would love to see this many more times, and have it for my birthday on the 22nd of march. Thanx for making this movie, and phillip.. you did an awesome job
Keith M gave it a10:
The show was very touching, well written, and produced. I enjoyed this show and couldn't take my eyes off the television.
Karen S gave it a10:
Bravisima Rosie!! Another excellent job!! It was a delight to watch you and the young man who played America. It was a beautiful story enjoyed immensely by both my husband and myself.
Alexis gave it a10:
This was a great movie and had me emotionally gettin attached to America. When he finally opened up I wanted to cry with him. I loved this movie!!!! It was really great!!!
Candace P gave it a10:
Having my only daughter adopted out of eight of her nine years in foster care. This movie is so realistic. The entire system should be scrapped.
Penny H gave it a10:
Thought it was wonderful, makes you want to go out there and change the world for these kids.
