Movie review: In America

I guess I'm chipping away at all the videos here. And finally, a feel-good movie!


It's too bad I've waited this long to see this one. One of those movies that got great reviews everywhere, but never quite sure I was ever in the mood for it since I didn't know what it was about and it sounded a bit... sappy. And to a certain extent, it is. Definitely drama, and it was wonderful! In America tells a story of making the best of what one has and dealing with what one has lost.

The best part of the movie were the two kids playing the daughters of an Irish family making a new life in New York. In particular, the elder daughter Christy, from whose perspective much of the movie is told, is gonna be a star! There's no question the kids play sisters convincingly, and as it turns out, because they're actually sisters!

During casting calls, director Jim Sheridan recalls that after a long day of auditions, he was very glad to have found Emma Bolger to play Ariel. He said that that little girl "told" him that he had to cast her sister Sarah Bolger as Christy. After not finding the right girl to play Christy, he auditioned Sarah for the part of Christy and she turned out to be right.

Djimon Hounsou got alot of attention for his role as the suffering soul that brings the family hope, and it was good too, but I kinda wish there was a bit more on his character. But Christy's character is definitely the star and around whom the story revolves. I was totally drawn into their family stuggle and joy.

12/13 stars

Yeah, it was a little sappy at the end, but well worth it!

In America