In America, written and directed by Jim Sheridan, focuses on a family of Irish immigrants who move to New York in the 1980s, and must adjust to their new life. Personal experiences of the Irish during the diaspora have stayed the same throughout this film, for a countless number of reasons including job type, and crime. In America captures real life struggles throughout the eyes of the Irish, and how they had to make the best out of any situation. The Sullivan family emigrates from Ireland to New York City as father, Johnny 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 works at an ice cream parlor while Johnny looks
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However, it also seems to be a little different. In Captains and the Kings, women are thought of as dependents, while men are thought of as breadwinners. Men do the dirty work because women rely on them. Yes, Sarah is the one who makes the money, however, Johnny takes care of his family in other ways by running all over god’s creation to buy an air conditioner, and to fix the shower for his children. In Captains and the Kings, compassion is viewed as being unethical to getting ahead in America if you are an immigrant, however, in In America, that is not the case. Sarah and Johnny realize that they are not in good financial status, but they do what they need to in order to get by. They show compassion with Mateo, the Sullivan family’s neighbor, as they help him through his long journey with AIDS. They are a family of good faith. Joseph did not want to reveal his name to Ed Healy because Joseph was afraid that being Irish would hold him back from potential opportunities that he could hold. Joseph stopped hiding his Irish name due to the fact that he turned successful and he was not shameful of it anymore. This relates to Johnny in a way. No, he did not hide the fact that he was Irish, but he was not happy with his life. He failed at auditions many times, and felt like he failed his family. However, towards the end of the movie, he received his first lead role, and felt a sense of joy. He was an Irish immigrant who became successful in America, a place where he never thought he could move
However, it also seems to be a little different. In Captains and the Kings, women are thought of as dependents, while men are thought of as breadwinners. Men do the dirty work because women rely on them. Yes, Sarah is the one who makes the money, however, Johnny takes care of his family in other ways by running all over god’s creation to buy an air conditioner, and to fix the shower for his children. In Captains and the Kings, compassion is viewed as being unethical to getting ahead in America if you are an immigrant, however, in In America, that is not the case. Sarah and Johnny realize that they are not in good financial status, but they do what they need to in order to get by. They show compassion with Mateo, the Sullivan family’s neighbor, as they help him through his long journey with AIDS. They are a family of good faith. Joseph did not want to reveal his name to Ed Healy because Joseph was afraid that being Irish would hold him back from potential opportunities that he could hold. Joseph stopped hiding his Irish name due to the fact that he turned successful and he was not shameful of it anymore. This relates to Johnny in a way. No, he did not hide the fact that he was Irish, but he was not happy with his life. He failed at auditions many times, and felt like he failed his family. However, towards the end of the movie, he received his first lead role, and felt a sense of joy. He was an Irish immigrant who became successful in America, a place where he never thought he could move