In America   

Sarah: Samantha Morton

Johnny: Paddy Considine

Christy: Sarah Bolger

Ariel: Emma Bolger

Mateo: Djimon Hounsou

Directed by Jim Sheridan

Written by Jim Sheridan & Naomi Sheridan & Kirsten Sheridan

There are times in life when the most important thing to do is to let go and put your trust and faith in the people around you.  The minute that you do, the things that were weighing you down and preventing you from moving forward in life disappear.  And, finally, the weight is lifted, the future clears, and you are able to live again. 

I was reminded of this fact while watching In America, a film about an Irish family that moves to New York in order to find a better life and a better opportunity.  It is also a move to escape the past.

The older daughter Christy, played by Sarah Bolger, is the narrator of the story and the emotional center of the family.  She sees life through the lens of her camcorder, which she uses to archive her family's past and present.  It is a star-making turn by a young actress who will, hopefully, not fade away into oblivion, but continue to hone her talent.

The family moves into a building inhabited by drug addicts, which is all they can afford.  One of their neighbors, Mateo (Djimon Hounsou), is described by Christy as "the man who yells."  However, he proves to be quite gentle when the girls come by to trick-or-treat on Halloween night.  His anguish is soon understood and he becomes a source of wisdom and hope for the family.  

Everyone turns in wonderful performances here, and it is an excellent screenplay by Jim Sheridan (who also directed) and his two daughters.  The story is obviously one that is close to his heart, however, it is not autobiographical.  Samantha Morton and Paddy Considine do a great job as young parents with the guilt and blame that comes from losing a child.  Also, the chemistry between real-life sisters Sarah and Emma Bolger is apparent on the screen and works well.

In America is emotional, heartfelt, and life-affirming, and it reminds us of the many reasons we go to the movies in the first place.  It is an example of how a great work of art can say and mean so much.