Review of In America (2003) by Tommy 'See The Treasure' S — 26 Jun 2014

In the first scene of Jim Sheridan's ''In America'' we meet an Irish family of four as they attempt to cross the Canadian border into America. Before being questioned by border control the man of the family, Johnny, reminds his two young girls to sustain the pretence that they are 'on holiday,' knowing that to divulge any more information would greatly harm their chances of entrance. As Johnny is questioned at his car window by the youngest girl naively blurts out from the back seat that her 'dad's not working,' thus arousing the suspicions of the immigration officer. He knows that is not uncommon for desperate families to seek refuge in the land of opportunity. However, the officer is not a stranger to compassion. He is conspicuously charmed by the gobby little girl, and when he learns by accident that this family have recently lost a young son his official demeanour softens and he admits the family into the U.S.A. In this utterly delightful opening scene you might say that director Jim Sheridan is setting out his stall to move his audience. He wants to charm us in the same way the little girl charms the immigration officer. He wants to earn our pity and for us to sympathise with this family's plight. For the most part he succeeds in his mission. It's a very emotional movie but I hesitate to call it emotionally manipulative. The references to ET; The nostalgic view of America; The unjust death of a child etc. All these efforts to move us and make us weep are so genuine and so transparent that you do not feel manipulated. This is one of those irresistibly charming movies that you just surrender yourself to.

Of course it also helps when you have two of the greatest living performers in the lead roles. Paddy Considine is excellent as the head of the household, Johnny. Johnny is a likeable and sympathetic character who is struggling in his career as an actor, but would do anything for his family. Since the death of his son he sees himself as a hollow shell of his former self but in key moments he proves his worth. In one great scene he somehow acquires the Herculean strength to haul an air conditioner through the streets of New York and up the stairs to his top-storey flat, only to realize that the plug does not fit into the outlet. Likewise the ever-reliable Samantha Morton is great as Sarah, who is dealing with the loss of her son in a very different way. She wears a smile and is exasperated by Johnny's lack of emotion, but deep down is still suffering from guilt and sadness over the recent tragedy. The child actresses(real life sisters Sarah and Emma Bolger) are also very natural screen presences. One of the main story threads involves these two girls, Christy and Ariel, befriending an enigmatic neighbour named Mateo(Djimon Hounsou),who despite having an angry 'keep out' notice on his door, is soon revealed to be a kind-hearted artist and mystic.

The story is almost Dickension in its mix of toughness and unabashed sentimentality. Yet although it has a very soft heart and a fantastical air, it is also very observant in its portrayal of a family's struggle to adapt to a foreign country. As well as the obvious financial throes, this Irish immigrant family faces challenges ranging from social class distinctions to the unfamiliar heat waves of New York. The way the death of a small child hangs over events adds an extra layer of melancholy to their struggles. But while the movie does not shy away from grim realities it maintains a sense of childlike, spiritual wonder throughout. Among other things it's a hymn to childhood imagination, which has the ability to transform a run-down apartment building into a haunted house. Sheridan masterfully links the elements of folklore with kitchen sink realism. It is as much about the powers of the human spirit as it is about the down-to-earth throes of a penniless family. To nitpick a little I did feel like the final act was perhaps a teeny-tiny bit overwrought. All in all, though, this very heart-warming and well-acted movie certainly won me over.