In America

Name: In America
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: November 26, 2003
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Djimon Hounsou, Paddy Considine, Samantha Morton

2003

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 33 Ratings

See All

8.3

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.3	Your Score
8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 33 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: November 26, 2003 | TV-MA

Starring: Djimon Hounsou, Paddy Considine, Samantha Morton

Summary: From master storyteller Jim Sheridan comes a deeply personal and emotionally raw tale of a family finding its soul In America. Through the wide-open eyes of two young heroines, Sheridan transforms a devastating human tragedy into a riveting, humor-tinged story about memory, secrets, love, loss, coming together and starting over. (Fox Searchlight)

Director: Jim Sheridan

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 105 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Megan Lehmann

It's a wistful yet penetrating film, shot through with magic realism and life-affirming humor, that gets you deep down where you live. Read full review

David Edelstein

The miracle of the movie is the Bolger sisters, who are so direct and matter-of-fact that they hardly seem to be acting. But their simplicity is radiant. Read full review

Mark Caro

Family life rarely is portrayed with such warmth, clarity and vibrancy as in In America. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

But there are so many beautiful, tender moments in In America -- that it's easy to forgive Sheridan's manipulative ploys. Read full review

Jack Mathews

If you're looking for a bit of an uplift, you could do worse among the gloom of so many holiday dramas. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

A recklessly emotional film that is so committed to feelings it occasionally overflows its banks. Which may be a little messy, but it's a lot more welcome than the drought-stricken alternatives. Read full review

William Arnold

It has its charms, but fails to strike a similar emotional chord. Read full review

SEE ALL 41 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Thigpen84

Feb 20, 2017

This is My absolute Favorite Movie of what I think was one of the greatest years in movie history, Wonderful cast, great music score, and an unforgettable performance by Djimon Hounsou.I will remember this movie forever as it will remain as one of my top 10 movies for years to come.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 24, 2021

I quite enjoyed the movie, although I did feel that, personally, it suffered a bit from confusion. Perhaps it was just me, as I have alot on my mind at the moment but I did find that the story was a bit confusing, when the character of Mateo gives a rather surprising outburst and some ofI quite enjoyed the movie, although I did feel that, personally, it suffered a bit from confusion. Perhaps it was just me, as I have alot on my mind at the moment but I did find that the story was a bit confusing, when the character of Mateo gives a rather surprising outburst and some of what the daughters said, trying to keep track of who their referring to (the character of Frankie, thats often mentioned during the narration, I found I got confused as to who exactly they meant, though after having checked this after seeing all of the movie, im more clear on this now and it makes a bit more sense).

I think that for some, it'll seem a bit slow and probably rather more sad than they might like or expect, possibly, as well as giving slightly confusing messages, as I say. It would have been classified by myself as a rather negative movie, in terms of being full of sadness from whats learnt about the families past but actually it is pretty uplifting too, especially when the character of Mateo is shown his real colours beneath the different surface and this in a way saves the movie, I feel. It would be too depressing, had the ending not been what it was and I suppose for others, maybe they would feel that the ending makes it a bit too Hollywood-ised but I don't, I think, to me, it all happened in a believable way that made me left feeling hopeful and yet still sad but in a reminiscent way for the family. I suppose this won't make a great deal of sense until you watch the movie but perhaps it helps you decide if this is of interest to you(?).

All in all, I felt that the movie was somewhat different to what I was expecting, there isn't a great deal of mention about how the family feel about the country and it isn't any kind of a roadtrip movie or exploration of the American culture really either. Its alot more insular and it doesn't have so much of an obvious 'goal' that we wait for the end to see the outcome of, its a movie that plods along and instead as the movie continues, we're given more insights into the family and their background instead. In that way, its not really that fast paced and its not got any real romance elements, though there is a sexual scene, which I also mention under classification.

This is a good general movie that is heartwarming and touching, if not rather confusing as well. Its a shame, if it had been done possibly in a different way, it would have got a better rating from me but I do feel like I did still enjoy it, hence my 7 out of 10 rating.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 2 REVIEWS