L'orgoglio di un padre

This is a good gut-wrenching movie at times that delivers a message about your fellow man that many do not want to hear about namely that they are not doing so well in the land of opportunity called America. It's not that there is something wrong necessarily with the good ole USA, but that there are no guarantees in life. This family is doing well, living a decent life until they cannot as the story explains. Hard-hitting to see that even middle class rule-players can get a bad break and have their worlds come crashing down. When you add kids to the scenario, your stomach tenses up. No child should go without food period in America. Beau Bridges pulls this off with his facial expressions and heartfelt sharing and the supporting cast compliment it all with special mention to the doctor who doesn't lose himself in his work but instead in people. The guy really cares. This is a must see film for any billionaire, multi-millionaire and well-off person so as to give them a heart driven reason to exist besides their vanity. OOOPs, did I say that? Highly recommend something to eat before or during the movie, a tasty drink, and some Kleenex for certain parts. Don't hold back the tears or emotions as this may be what it takes to soften ones heart and open it up to real life and love

This film is first class all the way. Beau Bridges is outstanding as a decent, hard-working man who loses his wife and his job and is just too stubborn and proud to accept help. This is the kind of film that makes you stop and think how lucky you are. Just be warned, it is sometimes so sad and grim that its very difficult to watch.

This movie made me think twice about what I have in life and what homeless and/or jobless people must go through each day. I found it to be first-rate, and everything about it was great, especially Beau Bridges's performance. He gave a great performance about a man who lost both his wife and his job, and the remainder of the movie focused on his struggle to raise his two kids and find another job. I loved it.

*** out of ****

Hidden in America should be required viewing for all political candidates and elected officials. Having spent 50 years in social work, I can attest to the authenticity of the character of Bill Januson. The producers of this film should receive credit for having the guts to make it. Almost the entire cast, especially the Januson family, were perfectly cast.

Hidden in America works both as a terrific film and as an advocate for child hunger. Beau Bridges leads the way with a very real performance of a single father trying to raise two kids after losing his wife to cancer and losing his job of 16 years at an automobile plant. Bridges character deals with feelings of inadequacy as he struggles to find work and properly raise his family. His pride also tested when he meets a doctor (Bruce Davidson) who wants to help the family and when he has to take donations to battle his daughter's malnutrition. The two kids in the film (Shelton Dane and Jean Malone) are great and Frances McDormand adds a nice touch as the rough but concerned mechanic who befriends the boy Robby. I highly recommend this movie which is now available on video.