L'Amérique aux deux visages

In between "Streetwise," "American Heart" and now "Hidden in America," I think I need to go on Prozac. Over the years director Martin Bell has proven himself master of ruining a person's day -- for some reason he seems mainly attracted to topics related to the poor, hopeless and downtrodden. The fact that his films are uniformly of high quality only makes the situations portrayed all the more depressing, but the verisimilitude of these films elevates them to something well above what mainstream Hollywood usually churns out.

Anyway, this film is well acted, fairly well scripted and covers its subject matter effectively. Jeff Bridges has a bit part as a doctor, and (as always) I would have liked to have seen more of him. The fact that this film is set is Seattle is meaningless; a story like this could really happen anywhere in America. 7/10

This is quite enjoyable, and the cast is good, but it doesn't really tackle the issues at hand. Because it's coming from American so called "liberal" viewpoint, it refuses to take a real left wing stance on the real divisions between rich and poor. One of the characters refuses to take state welfare out of misguided pride, but doesn't talk about taxing the rich. The tension between the poor family and the rich family is there, but from my own experience of such relationships, it's simply not realistic.

Of course, I realise someone from a right wing perspective will criticise the characters, but the writer seems to have covered that, by having the father being a hard worker who gets made redundant etc.

This is a film that deals with real social issues, but doesn't offer a workable solution.

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 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

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.