L'Amérique aux deux visages

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 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.

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.

Perhaps this family goes through more than most families have to go through. Yet the script never feels contrived and you never feel manipulated.

This is largely due to an exemplary cast. Beau Bridges shines as the dad struggling to provide for his family. Bruce Davison and Alice Krige are the helpless couple who can see the family need help, desperately want to help and cannot. The two children have big parts that they fill admirably. Jeff Bridges accepts a small part, perhaps because he realises how important the film is.

This is a film which shows a part of life that is rarely shown, a family that has a roof over its head but is poor and undernourished. It is very moving and deserves far more than the 6.5 rating that it currently has.