IN AMERICA
An uplifting immigrant-family drama about grief, love, and healing.
Should You Watch It?
IN AMERICA is a deeply moving film about an Irish immigrant family beginning again in New York City. It celebrates family life, America as a haven, and the indomitable spirit of people carrying both hope and grief. The performances by the two young daughters are delightful, and the parents’ relationship gives the story its emotional center.
The movie also asks for discernment. It includes foul language, a love scene between the married parents, nudity, drug-related material, and magical scenes involving a daughter talking and praying to her dead brother. Some viewers may also object to the film’s positive view of illegal immigration.
If your teenagers are mature enough for its content and your family is ready for a sad but hopeful drama, WORTH THE TRIP — TEENS AND ADULTS.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn the early 1980s, Johnny, a poor Irish actor, enters the United States with his sickly wife, Sarah, and their two young daughters, Christy and Ariel. After selling their station wagon, the family rents a grungy apartment in a frightening part of New York City.
While Johnny and Sarah mourn the son they lost to a brain tumor, Christy and Ariel discover adventure in their new surroundings. The sisters also form a friendship with Mateo, a dying African man who lives in their building.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an especially strong movie. IN AMERICA is sentimental, uplifting, funny, dramatic, sad, and winsome without losing its emotional balance.
The two young actresses playing the daughters are absolutely delightful. Their relationship with the parents should tug at the heartstrings, even for cynical viewers. Director Jim Sheridan balances pathos and comedy on a razor’s edge, keeping viewers glued to the story.
The Worldview
IN AMERICA presents a light Christian worldview in a Roman Catholic context. The daughters attend Catholic school, and the family’s story values love, sacrifice, family life, hope, and healing. America is portrayed as a magical haven from the cares and tragedies of life, especially for immigrants who have endured trouble.
The film’s spiritual elements require discernment. Christy talks and prays to her dead brother in magical, winsome scenes, treating him as a source of help. The movie also includes brief discussion of men dressing as women. In addition, it does not rebuke lying or illegal immigration, instead taking a positive view of the family’s unlawful entry into the United States.
The film’s central longing is for a place where grief can be met with love and life can begin again. Scripture offers this comfort: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light Christian worldview in a Roman Catholic context with daughters going to Catholic school and one daughter talking and praying to her dead brother in movie’s magical, winsome scenes, plus brief discussion about men dressing as women; about 12 obscenities (including one “f” word), three strong profanities, one light profanity, and man has mysterious disease which may be AIDS though movie never says; one scuffle and man pulls knife and is disarmed; implied sex scene between married parents and brief discussion of transvestites dressed as women; side view of married woman’s breasts as she takes off her bra and begins to make love with her husband, plus upper male nudity; man drinks beer; smoking, talk of drug addicts who hang around streets, and implied cocaine use by man in father’s cab; and, lying and illegal immigration not rebuked. GENRE: Drama C BB Ho LL V S NN A DD M
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The family carries grief while trying to begin again. How can God meet people who are brokenhearted?
Psalm 34:18 · 2 Corinthians 1:3–4Christy talks and prays to her dead brother. What does Scripture teach about whom we should pray to when we need help?
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 · Matthew 6:9The movie presents America as a haven for troubled immigrants. What responsibilities do people have toward those seeking refuge, and what responsibilities do governments have to uphold the law?
Leviticus 19:33–34 · Romans 13:1–4Johnny and Sarah continue building family life while mourning their son. How can a family grieve honestly while still making room for hope?
1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 · Romans 12:15The Final Word
IN AMERICA is a poignant, funny, sad, and uplifting family drama with excellent performances and a generous spirit. Its mature content and worldview questions call for discernment, but mature teenagers and adults may find real beauty in its portrait of love, grief, and healing. WORTH THE TRIP — TEENS AND ADULTS.
