Jim Sheridan's autobiographical film, IN AMERICA, begins as Irish immigrants Johnny (Paddy Considine), his wife Sarah (Samantha Morton), and their two daughters drive their wood-paneled station wagon across the Canadian border and into the United States. As they enter New York City at night, 10-year-old Christy (Emma Bolger) records the lights, skyscrapers, and general excitement on her camcorder. Her little sister Ariel (Sarah Bolger) coos at all there is to see, and the whole family is filled with new hope. With no money to live on, they settle into the top floor of a flophouse tenement inhabited by transvestites and drug addicts. The dilapidated building is at first intimidating, but with a little redecorating and a change of perspective, the family turns it into a bohemian paradise. While Johnny goes to auditions, trying to get his break as an actor, Sarah works at the ice cream shop down the street and the girls go to Catholic school. A budding friendship with their ominous neighbor, Mateo (Djimon Hounsou), brings a much-needed spirituality to the family's happy but difficult struggle to survive. A beautiful and touching film about the risks that families take striving for a colorful, successful, happy life, IN AMERICA is above all a tribute to New York City in all its glory: its diversity of people and opportunity, its violence and grit, and its sometimes overwhelming energy.

Theatrical Release Date: November 26, 2003 (LIMITED)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Dual Side
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - Spanish
Dolby Surround - French

Side One:
Widescreen - 1.85
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Jim Sheridan - Director
Deleted Scenes (9) w/ Optional Commentary
Alternate Ending

Side Two:
Pan & Scan - 1.33
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Jim Sheridan - Director
Featurettes - 1. "Making of IN AMERICA"

Paddy Considine: A ROOM FOR ROMEO BRASS
Samantha Morton: Actress
Djimon Hounsou: Actor, AMISTAD, THE ISLAND, BLOOD DIAMOND, CONSTANTINE
Sarah Bolger: Actress, A LOVE DIVIDED (2001)
Emma Bolger: Actor, IN AMERICA (2003)

Jim Sheridan: Irish Director/Writer

Arthur Lappin: American Producer
Jim Sheridan: Irish Director/Writer

Naomi Sheridan: Screenwriter, IN AMERICA (2003)
Kirsten Sheridan: Director, Screenwriter, IN AMERICA

Gavin Friday: Songwriter/Performer
Maurice Seezer: Songwriter/Perfomer

"...[A] modest, touching film....What lingers in the mind after you have seen his movie is the rough, radiant individuality of his characters..."
"...IN AMERICA is going to shake you up and hang you out to dry if you give it the chance....Luminously photographed..."
"...There are moments that speak emotional volumes..."
"...Forceful, funny and impassioned....It gets to you..."
"...Poignant....Sheridan gets wonderful performances from all of the actors, particularly from the two young girls, who act with assurance and spontaneity..."
"...Sheridan's movie has just enough charm to pull it all off with a flourish. A sparkling effort, full of tears and smiles..."