Director: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Djimon Hounsou, Sarah Bolger, Emma Bolger
Release date: 31 October 2003
Running time: 118 minutes
Certificate: 15

What's it about?
In America follows an impoverished Irish family, who move to New York in search of new beginnings and a fresh start, following the tragic loss of their son Frankie. The story's narrated through the eyes of the eldest daughter, Christie, who describes events with the charming simplicity and untainted innocence of a ten year old.

The relationship between the parents, Johnny (Paddy Considine) and Sarah (Samantha Morton), is a complex mixture of devotion and love (for each other, as well as for their children), and a darker, almost frantic desperation to deal with their loss, and move on.

The family begin their new lives in a large tenement, which they share with prostitutes, drug addicts and a terrifying man, who paints fearsome paintings, whilst screaming and rampaging from behind his closed door. However, the fearless innocence of the children soon softens his heart, and from behind his devilish exterior, a gentle and deeply spiritual friend emerges, called Mateo. He gradually helps the family come to terms with their demons, and to start putting them to rest.

Is it any good?
Grab the tissues, because this one's a weeper. In America is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film, which challenges even the hardest critic to remain impartial.

The film intelligently navigates the audience through the various complexities of each individual family member's reaction to grief. A father who's lost his vulnerability. A mother who is dulled, but desperate to maintain normality for the sake of her children. A subdued elder daughter, who secretly misses her brother. And a bright, fearlessly extroverted younger daughter, who's confused and frightened by the incomprehensible changes that are taking place in her family.

The story is semi-autobiographical, based on the life of writer/director Jim Sheridan - and the personal, emotive approach really works. The balance between heart-wrencher and light comedy is perfectly weighted, and the simple, yet stimulating camerawork makes it a truly pleasurable cinematic experience. The two young actors who play Christie (Sarah Bolger) and Ariel (Emma Bolger) are the real stars of the show, demonstrating a natural affiliation with the lens, and carrying off some truly splendid one-liners, which lift the film above all that harsh reality and make it a truly heart-warming story.

Best bit?
A love-scene montage that works beautifully, not because of its eroticism, but because it brings together the three sets of characters - the parents, the children, and Mateo - and somehow unifies their various passions, desires, ghosts and demons.

Go see it if?
You want a stimulating experience at the cinema and are bored of Hollywood blockbusters that consistently seem to substitute plot for titillating stunt and sex scenes."

Marks out of 10 9
Fantastic! Up there with The Pianist and Adaptation.