In America

Starring: Paddy Considine, Samantha Morton, Djimon Hounsou, Sarah Bolger and Emma Bolger
Directed by: Jim Sheridan
Rated: PG-13
Written by: Jim Sheridan, Naomi Sheridan and Kirsten Sheridan

In America is the most touching film of the year - for the non-cynical of us that still appreciate a good old-fashioned personal tale. Director Jim Sheridan always bares the soul of his characters in his uniquely personal films. In America is no exception. In fact the film's bittersweet story is also a fictionalized autobiography of Sheridan's own family and their coming to America; which just adds to its emotional breadth.

We meet a young Irish' émigrés family as they sneak across the Canadian border down into New York City. Wife Sarah (Samantha Morton) loves her husband to pieces...the husband, John (Paddy Considine) is delightfully reciprocative.

John's an actor and has an idea he'd like to be a Great White Way actor. His loving family is along for the thespian's bumpy ride. His young daughter Christy (Sarah Bolger) narrates their journey's ups and downs for us…

She tells us how this is truly a new beginning for the them after a terrible tragedy broke her family's spirits, none more than her dad. Christy has saved up her wishes to assist her father in his ventures. She explains she's only got the three so she'll have to use them very wisely if they're going to make a go of this new place...

They barely have enough to survive but manage to find a sprawling apartment in the middle of town. The spacious dwelling is within a drug-laced downtrodden tenement. But, as we learn, this is not a family easily despaired and soon their, "Never say never" spirits have it converted into a home complete with a lemonade-out-of-lemons water-theme stenciled tub in the middle of the living room. Life is what you make it.

The neighbors pretty much stay to themselves…but there's one, just below them, that's truly a bit rough around the edges. He's a mysterious man that bellows, loudly, and frequently. And if that were not weirdo "NYC Neighbor 101" enough, he also has the dreaded telltale "Keep away" spray-painted across his door. Not exactly a friendly guy…

But Johnny and Sarah's two girls Christy and Ariel (Sarah and Emma Bolger), especially Ariel, fear nuthin' or no one, so when they find their pillowcases only a third full of loot on their first American holiday of Halloween, they knock on the unwelcoming door, determined to get a treat.

An ominous growling fellow answers. He is Mateo. (Djimon Hounsou) The little family learns, as with most of their new discoveries, this stoic Mateo is far from what he seems.

The story shows the regrowing pains of one family hell bent on keepin' a smile on their faces even during the worst of times. It's the love of the group that will lift your heart up to that special place rarely found in today's soulless films. That and five incredible performances!

Paddy Considine and Samantha Morton are wonderful as the almost kid-like themselves parents lost in the dreams of a new life. This new Irish import Paddy is a butter-smeared crumpet of manly yum! Call him Paddy McHottyhot and dip into this lad's adorable bits…he comes complete with the "lilt"...need I really say more?

Djimon Hounsou's eyes are so telling and descriptive you may see Narnia if you look real close.

But it's the Bolger sisters Sarah and Emma that steal the film (and your heart). A child's outlook is often very different from the mayhem and reality around them. Sheridan's dialog and actions between these two phenomenal little actors has you convinced the film's really a narrative documentary. The two will hold your breath several times as you watch them live these roles. Remarkable. These two are future multiple academy award winners. Little Emma is so cute and talented one might actually breed IF they could be assured one like this little angel…Her sister Sarah's a little thespian mix of say Redgrave and Barrymore; high drama with an edge of serious.

Run out and find this warm delightful treat of a film. It's a timeless tale of an unrelenting passion for change mixed with a hearty helping of love. You may want to pack some tissues for this one...

Snack recommendation: Potatoes and curly chard (less the coinage) and magic lemon drops for dessert.