In America [2003] [DVD]

Amazon.co.uk Review In America stars the incandescent Samantha Morton and Paddy Considine as two young Irish parents who have lost their only son. Trying to run away from their grief, they move (illegally) to a junkie-infested apartment building in New York City with their two daughters, Christy (Sarah Bolger) and Ariel (Emma Bolger). Though they struggle with meagre jobs and suffocatingly hot weather, a friendship with an artist in an apartment below them (Djimon Hounsou) becomes a catalyst that allows them to rebuild their family. In America is splendidly acted throughout--of particular note are the two girls, real-life sisters whose on-screen charisma is clearly a family trait. But it's Morton who anchors the movie; her every emotion seems to glow from her skin. The commitment of the actors keeps the movie compelling, despite some dangerously sentimental patches. --Bret Fetzer Product Description Moving family drama directed by Jim Sheridan ('My Left Foot', 'In the Name of the Father'). Young Irish actor Johnny Sullivan (Paddy Considine) smuggles his wife Sarah (Samantha Morton) and two young daughters Christy and Ariel (played by sisters Sarah and Emma Bolger) into America via Canada in the hope of jump-starting his career in New York. The couple have another, sadder reason for uprooting the family from their home in Ireland: they are mourning the recent death of their third child, a toddler son. However, despite their hopes of starting anew, New York initially turns out to be a less welcoming place than they had hoped - and the strains of poverty and city living soon start to take their toll on the tender, bereaved family. The film premiered at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival.