"In America"

In America (2003): 7/10

Poster (c) Fox Searchlight

If there’s one thing I don’t understand, it’s glaring continuity errors. I understand that films cannot be completely perfect, and some technical issues may be in, but when a film, which I believe is set in the 1980’s, has various ads for products of the new millennium. I’ve read up on why that happened, and director Jim Sheridan said that they were intentional. If I were to direct a film set in a certain time period, I would certainly just put in a few things like that for fun, but in In America, it ruins the authentic feel of the movie, one that doesn’t mess around. As much as I hate to say this on a story based on Sheridan’s true life, he seems to direct it too light-heartedly. It’s a serious story, and shouldn’t be treated like that.

Johnny (Paddy Considine) and Sarah (Samantha Morton) have recently moved to New York with their young daughters Christy (Sarah Bolger) and Ariel (Emma Bolger) from Ireland. With basically no money and low-paying jobs, Johnny and Sarah struggle to make ends meet, while Christy and Ariel see it as a place where anything is possible. In their run-down apartment, they meet a large black man whose bark is worse than his bite named Mateo (Djimon Hounsou) who helps them through.

Sheridan’s directing is really on-and-off. As I mentioned earlier, he was having too much of a good time while directing it, while he should have been more serious. However, he can create tension by using the regular clichés, but still keep it tense. It’s odd to see a rather comical scene turn into a gripped-to-your-seat tense scene, but there’s one scene that does that. While at a carnival, Johnny decides to win an E.T. doll for Ariel. Although Sheridan uses the overused slow motion, that one brief scene takes your emotions and holds them in midair: you really have no clue what will happen.

The rest of the story I found interesting enough, but oftentimes it was just like another “struggling immigrant” story. Heartwrenching, yes, but nothing new. As the ads tote, this is Sheridan’s most personal film. It’s obvious to see that, as the entire family has realistic chemistry with each other. The spirit of a true story is there, and it shows. I could go more into detail on every little aspect of this film, but I will close with this: In America is nowhere near as good as the other critics say, but if you do go in, prepare to be moved.

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality, drug references, brief violence and language.

Review Date: January 8, 2004