In America (2003)

An Irish family adjusts to life in Hell’s Kitchen

Grieving the loss of a son, a family of Irish immigrants struggles to make it in an old apartment building in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan. Paddy Considine & Samantha Morton play the parents while Djimon Hounsou plays a loner artist in the complex.

"In America" (2002) is a decent drama about adapting to life in the grungy Big Apple. Morton’s beauty is notable early on, despite her odd haircut, but most of the movie she’s pregnant. Meanwhile Sarah Bolger is smashing as daughter Christy, who narrates the story. Sarah would grow up to be a ravishing celestial woman.

You can tell the story is semi-autobiographical by director/writer Jim Sheridan and his daughters, Naomi and Kirsten. A lot of the drama works, but some of it had kinks that needed worked out. This left me with a “Meh” impression. But enough of it works for those interested. One thing’s for sure, life in the Big City isn’t painted as remotely attractive. I’m assuming the father made the radical move to fulfill his dream in acting.

The movie runs 1 hour, 44 minutes and was shot in Dublin, Ireland, with studio stuff done in Ardmore Studios, and some shots of Manhattan & points nearby.

GRADE: C+