Very Cool!!!

Touches You

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

There are better movies of two hours length. I loved the actress'performance.

'There's some things you should wish for and some 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.' This semi-autobiographical tale of Irish immigrants trying to survive in Hells Kitchen is ultimately frustrating, but has occasional moments of pure cinematic gold. Co-authored by the director, Jim Sheridan, and his two daughters, the screenplay constitutes a composite picture of their combined memories of when the director uprooted his family from Ireland in 1982, after controversy had hit a play he had staged. In addition, interwoven in this work is a tale of grief and mourning taken from a completely different period, and based on the director's father's earlier experiences of losing a child - the director's brother to whom the film is dedicated. The resulting product feels episodic, constructed from disparate scenes, largely from diarised entries from Sheridan's daughters, rather than fixed to a cohesive narrative thread. As such, the content veers from saccharine and sentimental moments of family unity to apparent irrational emotional outbursts devolved of any background for the audience. Sheridan's aim of trying to view the world with a kind of childlike quality works well at times, but the film displays an inconsistency of tone in scenes which are much starker. As instances of the former, there are three pivotal moments where the eldest daughter's belief that her deceased brother has granted her three wishes add poignant charm to the narrative. The first of these occurs at the outset as the family attempt to bluff their entry into the States as mere vacationers at the Canadian border. The next is the most enthralling scene where the father risks all the family savings at a carnival stall in order to save face in order to secure the soft toy his youngest daughter has set her heart on. Finally, there is the final scene, where the last remaining wish is movingly spent to help the father deal with the grief of losing his only son. Another of the film's strengths concerns the scenes narrated by the eldest daughter, presented by means of digital footage from her hand-held camera, thereby highlighting the artistry of cinematographer, Declan Quinn. Finally, there are the capable performances from the majority of the cast. As Sheridan maintains, casting represents 90% of film-making, and in this instance his claim appears well-served. Paddy Considine further establishes his acting credentials with an earnest and convincing portrayal of the father who struggles to safeguard his family once his beliefs have been shaken to the core, and his emotions held in check, by the tragic loss of his young son - this must have resonated with the actor who had lost his own father to cancer just a week before shooting started. The great find here though has to be the Bolger sisters. What is remarkable is that having cast the youngest, Emma, as Ariel, Sheridan was persuaded by the latter to audition, and subsequently cast as Christy, her elder sister waiting in a parked car outside. While her sibling's performance is charming and precocious, it is Sarah Bolger who delivers an amazingly mature performance beyond her years as the insightful chronicler of the family's triumphs and travails. One can never forget her beautiful rendition of the Eagles' 'Desperado', or how steely is her character's retort to her father: 'Don't 'little girl' me. I've been carrying this family on my back for a year.' Although Samantha Morton's performance merits admiration, an Oscar nomination appears exaggerated given the largely passive role she plays, as well as her character's inconsistencies - able to hold her husband responsible for her son's accidental death while comfortable herself to allow her daughters to 'trick or treat' in the apartment block they share with junkies and an apparently crazed neighbour who screams behind a permanently closed door. Even more surprising was the film's other acting nomination for Djimon Honsou's role as the neighbour, and HIV infected Haitian artist, who comes across as nothing more than a convenient narrative device. Despite the equally questionable Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay, the film does contain moments of sheer heart-warming or heart-rending emotional impact, none more so than the closing scene in which the family bid farewell to the dear departed, and which tests anyone's resolve to not shed a tear.

1. When searching for a comparison to make with the experience of watching this film, the only one that seems appropriate is Rocky. This is a deeply personal story for the author of the screenplay, and as such the emotions are more informed by experience than writing. 2. Those emotions are incredibly carried by the actors. You need only look into Paddy Considine's eyes and see his shame at not providing for his family. Samantha Morton's crazed post-birth breakdown is stunningly authentic. 3. I fell in love with the little girls played by Sarah and Emma Bolger. Their sweet Irish accents and adorable faces aside, the two of them are among the best child performances I've ever seen. Whether it is Ariel's sweet sense of wonder or Christy's balance of the mature and the innocent, the two of them are a wonder to behold. Watching Christy sing is almost heartbreaking in its purity.4. Jim Sheridan knows exactly what to do with the film's most pivotal scenes, particularly the "game of luck" at the show ground. Lesser filmmakers (like the directors of Focus) have stuffed the landing on scenes like this, but Sheridan knows exactly how to get the most emotion out of the scene.5. Djimon Hounsou gives the best performance I've ever seen from him. He's introduced as a screaming nutcase who we are to be afraid of, and his brutish appearance does a lot to back that up. But after only one meeting we are able to see who he really is and Mateo's frailty and grief and loneliness pour out.6. I wish we'd seen more of him, however. That and Johnny's struggles with God and his family are among the more undercooked themes. One or two more scenes would have made the film's payoffs a little bit better.7. We see most of the film through Christy's eyes, with this theme of "three wishes". The opening narration with the abstract colours and lullaby music conveys superb innocence, and with supreme subtlety we shift. Her closing monologue is one of supreme awareness and maturity and we realise how much she's had to deal with throughout the film. 8. At times it is heartbreaking and at others it will make you smile. In America is a beautiful film that should skyrocket up your watch list.9. I've got two slots left so I'll just say I love Sarah Bolger.10. Still got one point. I love Emma Bolger.

In America stars 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 to a junkie-infested apartment building in New York City with their two daughters, Christy and Ariel. Though they struggle with meager jobs and suffocatingly hot weather, a friendship with an artist in an apartment below them becomes a catalyst that allows them to rebuild their family. The semi-autobiographical screenplay by director Jim Sheridan and his daughters Naomi and Kirsten as they focus on an immigrant Irish family's efforts to survive in New York City, as seen through the eyes of the elder daughter.Sarah Bolger,Emma Bolger and Djimon Hounsou co-star to play key supporting roles.The film is splendidly acted throughout.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.This immigration drama is simple and modest to a fault but it's sporadically touching and easily the most emotionally satisfying.

First of all, I'd like to say that I was hugely impressed. Mostly because of the work Jim Sheridan has done here. An excellent Irish director who has his own unique way to create very good movies. As I understand this movie is quite personal to him and dedicated to his family. It's easy to see why. The movie is all about family. It shows what a great influence a family has for its members. What it means to stick together and to climb over all the obstacles life throws on the road. But the most important note the movie points is the power of overcoming a loss of a family member. Very lovely and inspirational movie. It has its tragic and heartfelt scenes which make In America a wonderful movie. Recommended for all the families.Great job by Jim Sheridan because of creating an atmosphere where there is no first-class movie stars, but still cast is one the strongest part of the movie. It shows you the worth of this movie.