Hidden in America (1996) (TV)

Director:

Martin Bell

Writers (WGA):

Peter Silverman (written by) and
Michael De Guzman (written by)

Release Date:

1 December 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Story of a man Bill Januson whose pride in being the head of his family won't let him accept help from his sick daughters doctor...

Plot Keywords:

Doctor | School Dropout | Brother Sister Relationship | Class Differences | Unemployment

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 8 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Beau Bridges	...	Bill Januson
Bruce Davison	...	Dr. Michael Millerton
Shelton Dane	...	Robbie Januson
Jena Malone	...	Willa
Alice Krige	...	Dee
Josef Sommer	...	Edward Millerton
Frances McDormand	...	Gus
Jeff Bridges	...	Vincent
Allegra Denton	...	Caroline
Dan Petronijevic	...	Kenny
Nick Johne	...	Oscar
Nicky Guadagni	...	Hospital Administrator
Liisa Repo-Martell	...	Angela
Pixie Bigelow	...	Marian Millerton
James Kidnie	...	Mr. Tatum

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for disturbing plot material.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

UK:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Citadel Entertainment

Soundtrack:

Flashlight Therapy

A well directed, brilliantly acted film which should make us thankful for what we have in life.

Thank goodness that satellite tv gave me a chance to see this movie, which otherwise, I presume, would have only been seen by American audiences. It is breathtaking in its reality and haunted me for days afterwards. When it was showing again a week later I could not face watching it again so soon, because it is emotionally draining. But I will most certainly watch it again at some point. Beau Bridges is superb as the father (and a good father at that) trying to cope with his family's descent into poverty and the childrens' performances are unbelievably good. It does not become corny or maudlin, which given the subject matter is an achievement. It is a lesson in life. It teaches us that poverty is not just in the huddled refugees camps or drought plagued deserts we see on our tv screens each night, but is right here in the midst of us, whether in the US or any other country. It is a very upsetting film, but turning in for the night after watching it I realized how lucky I am in life. And I would recommend especially to anyone who is feeling just a bit sorry for themselves