In America (2002)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writers (WGA):

Jim Sheridan (written by) &
Naomi Sheridan (written by) ...

Release Date:

31 October 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

An Irish immigrant family adjusts to life in the United States.

Plot Keywords:

Actor | Neighbor | New York City | 2000s | Voice Over Narration

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 18 wins & 33 nominations

Cast

Paddy Considine	...	Johnny
Samantha Morton	...	Sarah
Sarah Bolger	...	Christy
Emma Bolger	...	Ariel
Neal Jones	...	Immigration Officer #1
Randall Carlton	...	Immigration Officer #2
Ciaran Cronin	...	Frankie
Djimon Hounsou	...	Mateo
Juan Carlos Hernández	...	Papo (as Juan Hernandez)
Nye Heron	...	Blind Man
Jason Salkey	...	Tony
Rene Millan	...	Steve
Sara James	...	Papo's Girlfriend
Bob Gallico	...	Theatre Director
Jason Killalee	...	Assistant Theatre Director

Also Known As:

East of Harlem (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality, drug references, brief violence and language. (edited version)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

Ireland | UK

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Denmark:7 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 (bw) | Netherlands:MG6 | Norway:11 | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:M18 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 (edited for re-rating) (certificate #39306) | USA:R (original rating) | Ireland:12PG

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios - Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

Ewan McGregor and Kate Winslet were originally approach to play Johnny and Sarah at the film's early stages of production when it was entitled "East of Harlem".

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The camcorder would not be able to play back video in slow motion, as we see in the early frisbee scene. The shot was clearly made on film, overcranked, and then transferred to video to display on the LCD screen.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Christy: [voiceover] There's some things you should wish for and some things you shouldn't. That's what my little brother Frankie told me. He told me I only had three wishes, and I looked into his eyes, and I don't know why I believed him.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Tempest

Welcome to America

This is the story of an Irish family who comes into the US via Canada and settles in a rundown New York City neighborhood as n immigrant (exile) myself, I can very much relate to what the family was going through . Hot summers , different culture, eccentric neighbors, theft., illness. I recall my own bout with Nephritis shortly after arrival, along with a long hospital stay.My family settled in the most rundown corrupt city in the US . Newark NJ. So I know how it is to land in an undesirable town location.

The family consists of a father , mother , two young girls, and the subtle presence of a boy who died shortly before the family emigrated. His presence however is felt through the film. .

The mother becomes pregnant soon after , but must make a choice. If the child is born too early he/she would probably not survive, if carried to term the mother's life would be in peril.

A subplot develops when the family befriend an eccentric black painter. Mateo. played brilliantly by Djimon Hounsou. They establish a bond that transcends their different backgrounds.

The pregnant mother takes the courageous step not to terminate her pregnancy.

As it is my practice I will not divulge anymore information, since It is my function as an author to comment on a film in order to either promote it or tell the reader it isn't worth his/her time. Also i'm not going to give away the best scenes and dialogue. That my dear reader you will see for yourself when you view this masterpiece of a film.

You must see it.