In America
It was 1997 when Jim Sheridan released his previous film The Boxer, a film that failed to live up to this reviewers expectations until I saw the DVD release again recently and acclaimed it another masterpiece in my own tiny microcosm...
It was 1997 when Jim Sheridan released his previous film The Boxer, a film that failed to live up to this reviewers expectations until I saw the DVD release again recently and acclaimed it another masterpiece in my own tiny microcosm. These kind of waits in directing careers are not a surprise (one recalls Michael Mann’s 5 year absences), which usually guarantee a film the worthy title of being called Art. We only have to think of Stanley Kubrick and Terrance Malick to name the most obvious examples. I feel that this is the way we should also think of Sheridan, a man who is yet to make a Hulk.
So what of In America. It, as usual in Sheridan’s films, has characters that appear so naturally complex that there portrayals seem effortless. It centres around a family who have left Ireland and gone to America for a fresh start. This is all triggered by the recent loss of one of their children. The film remains firmly centered on the grieving process of the family and their acceptance of the death. In the directors commentary Sheridan makes the analogy that the film aims to explore the possibility of the Irish leaving behind what he calls their ‘Death Culture’. Although the plot sounds grim in tone the narrative is constantly making reference to an afterlife which provides the story with a tangible outlet for the family to come to terms with their loss. This is an honest film that we are informed comes straight out of the life of the director and his family, although certain details have been changed for story purposes.
The performances are all exceptional, specifically Djimon Hounsou as ‘Mateo’ who serves as a spiritual outlet for the families grieving. Paddy Considine once again proves his mastery of accents and understanding of the human condition, whilst Samantha Morton provides ample support as his wife and offers one of the most touching emotional scenes in the film. The 2 daughters are played by Sarah and Emma Bolger, real life sisters, who for first time actors provide ample evidence of Sheridans unique ability to get powerful and balanced performances from all of his major cast members.
The DVD comes with a mix of standard special edition extras including 10 throw away deleted scenes with or without commentary, a 20 minute documentary about the making of the film which comes across as like a long advert for the film and best of all the aforementioned Directors commentary which is without doubt the highlight of the extras on offer. Sheridan, whose love for storytelling is apparent, offers a deep insight into his aims and intentions, provides many humorous behind the scenes anecdotes, and like with The Boxer’s commentary affirms his place on this reviewers rostrum of top Directors Commentary’s. During his own introduction he says “this is the voice of Jim Sheridan the egomaniac who wrote, directed and produced this film about himself”. His honesty and ability to not take himself too seriously makes this commentary a must see and look out for his brief recommendation of blindfolds as well.
The picture quality is superb due to some fantastic camera work by Declan Quinn and the sound comes in a 5.1 mix. As we remain within the families house for a majority of the film the sounds of America come to us courtesy of our back speakers. If you are watching it in London and your sound is loud, don’t panic you are not going to have your door kicked in by the police it is the sound design.
As the story centres around the universal theme of coming to terms with the death of loved ones, this film should appeal to a wide variety of the viewing public. However it is without a 30 minute chase scene and minus a high body count, so this film will remain on the fringes of recognition for some time to come but if you want to watch a film by a master storyteller then this film stands out from the recent crop of English language new releases.
I do though want to moan about a pet concern of mine. With so many film school graduates floating around on the fringes of unemployment isn’t it about time that the film producers should want to properly document the shooting of their films. In the usual Making Of’s we are given an assembly of footage that serves as a long advert for the film that those of us who are watching on DVD don’t really need. After all we have just seen your film. Now we want to see the process of the filmmaking, you know a Making Of. As a film takes months from start to finish I think we deserve something a little longer than an half an hour American television slot, giving us a blow by blow account of the story and who the characters are. We want to see people creating, sick crew, on set affairs, people getting pissed off or having a laugh, tensions, drama, you know an imaginative documentary that takes us through a films production. And you financial money pigs out there give us some quality extras and we will buy your DVD’s.
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