Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

In America

Play trailer Poster for In America PG-13 2003 1h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 175 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
The Sullivan family emigrates from Ireland to New York City as father Johnny (Paddy Considine) chases his dream of being an actor. Living in a small Hell's Kitchen apartment, the family settles into American life despite their deplorable living conditions. Wife Sarah (Samantha Morton) works at an ice parlor while Johnny looks for work as an actor, both haunted by memories of their dead son, Frankie. Daughter Christie (Sarah Bolger) documents the family's American journey with a video camera.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

In America

In America

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A rich and moving story about an immigrant family adjusting to life in New York.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
David Ansen Newsweek 03/12/2018
The feelings Sheridan evokes in the last scenes are earned: they encapsulate the whole story. And they stay with you long after it's over. Go to Full Review
Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/24/2010
4/5
Moving but slightly graphic; mature teens only. Go to Full Review
Meredith Brody Chicago Reader 10/17/2007
The result is a blend of kitchen-sink and magical realism: sentimental, but well acted and freshly observed. Go to Full Review
Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight Jan 7
4/4
...although In America came in a time when such stories were in steep decline, it suggested there might be plenty of vitality left in the genre. Go to Full Review
Jeff Mitchell Phoenix Film Festival 07/03/2023
4/4
The stressful carnival scene is so skillfully crafted, you'll need to find a mirror to determine if your hair turned white. Go to Full Review
Eve Tushnet Patheos 12/20/2021
A haunting, subtle story, making the movie's comedy more gentle and its sorrows somewhat more shared... Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Julian Rex M @Julian_M 07/07/2025 In America strains to find its place between silly and sad while also remaining compelling, but an assured screenplay, committed performances, and gorgeous direction by Jim Sheridan allow the film to be a highly relatable, if imperfect, exploration of belonging to this day. See more Jeremy S @RT61123228 01/03/2023 Paddy is excellent as always. It's a few years since I watched this but it remains the movie that made me into the biggest emotional mess. I wept. Hard. See more 03/04/2022 It starts out too slow were as my wife made me turn it off by the E.T. movie scene. I watched it by myself later and really enjoyed it. A lot of symbolism as Mateo dies, Sarah Mateo is brought to life. A dying man teaches a living man about life, etc. See more 01/21/2022 This movie was superb. It had such an amazing story line, fantastic acting, and the two major stars of the movie, the younger girls, did such a mature and incredible job handling their parts. I loved the feel good story, the family background, and the way it portrays a life in struggle and in good times. I would highly recommend this to anyone. A wonderful family movie. See more dave s @RT68722908 01/21/2021 While it's true that movies detailing the immigrant experience in America are nothing new and Jim Sheridan's In America doesn't really add anything new to the theme, it is still a fine film. Loosely based on Sheridan's own experiences, what makes In America a cut above other similar films are the subtle and nuanced writing and some fine performances, most notably those of Sarah and Emma Bolger as the young daughters of Johnny and Sarah (Paddy Considine and Samantha Morton). While the movie may be a bit episodic and melodramatic at times, it is effective in capturing the angst experienced by immigrants arriving in a new land. See more 12/28/2020 A film about how you can leave but you can't leave the past, and not moving past tragedy will change you in dark ways, In America gives us a family that knows that all too well. A move to the States from abroad, a new home with the dangers and possibilities that come with it, and three carefully chosen wishes frame this glorious film. Paddy Considine, the wonderful Samantha Morton, and Djimon Hounsou are all stellar as Irish couple Johnny and Sarah, struggling with two kids in a new country, and their neighbor in their slum building; himself an immigrant who struggles with his own rage and frustrations. But the two daughters, Christy and Ariel, are given life by the outstanding performances of Sarah and Emma Bolger. Christy cries when no one can see her, is so seemingly happy and composed with her camcorder seemingly always at the ready, but she's also the one who has, "been carrying (this) family on (her) back...since Frankie died." Yes, the her mom and dad are still weakened and sad since Frankie was their baby boy. But he was her little brother, too. Top notch work here by director Jim Sheridan and his two accomplices on the screenplay, his own daughters Naomi and Kristen. The film feels a piece with the tone, pacing, and editing the work of a director at the top of his game. 4 stars, love. See more Read all reviews
In America

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING
King of the Hill 91% 84% King of the Hill Watchlist Off the Map 70% 85% Off the Map Watchlist The Company 72% 49% The Company Watchlist Bee Season 44% 35% Bee Season Watchlist Proof 62% 59% Proof Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis The Sullivan family emigrates from Ireland to New York City as father Johnny (Paddy Considine) chases his dream of being an actor. Living in a small Hell's Kitchen apartment, the family settles into American life despite their deplorable living conditions. Wife Sarah (Samantha Morton) works at an ice parlor while Johnny looks for work as an actor, both haunted by memories of their dead son, Frankie. Daughter Christie (Sarah Bolger) documents the family's American journey with a video camera.
Director
Jim Sheridan
Producer
Paul Myler, Arthur Lappin
Screenwriter
Jim Sheridan
Distributor
20th Century Fox, Fox
Production Co
Hell's Kitchen Films
Rating
PG-13 (Sexuality|Brief Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 26, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$15.5M
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings