America (TV 2009)

In "America," Dr. Maureen Brennan, a psychiatrist at a youth treatment center, encounters her newest patient, a bi-racial boy named America. Through their sessions, Dr. Brennan helps ... See full summary »

Director:

Yves Simoneau

Writers:

Joyce Eliason (teleplay), Rosie O'Donnell (teleplay),

Stars:

Philip Johnson, Rosie O'Donnell, Ruby Dee

1 win & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Philip Johnson	...	America
Rosie O'Donnell	...	Dr. Maureen Brennan
Ruby Dee	...	Mrs. Harper
Tim Rhoze	...	Reggie Harper
Jade Yorker	...	Brooklyn
Raquel Castro	...	Liza
Toya Turner	...	Susana
Michael Algieri	...	Young America
Dante Brown	...	Young Brooklyn
Logan Huffman	...	Marshall
Bubba Weiler	...	Fish
Kojo Asiedu	...	Don
David Aron Damane	...	Bobby Crisp
Courtney Benjamin	...	Sheriff Romero
Doug Hamilton	...	Judge

Storyline

In "America," Dr. Maureen Brennan, a psychiatrist at a youth treatment center, encounters her newest patient, a bi-racial boy named America. Through their sessions, Dr. Brennan helps America come to terms with his roller-coaster life, which began when he was taken by authorities from his crack-addicted mother, and placed into foster care as an infant. The short time of stability in his life occurred when America lived with Mrs. Harper, the elderly nanny to one of his foster families. Later reunited with his mother, she soon abandons America and he is again placed into foster care. Lagging behind in school and full of anger, America retreats further away from society after years of sexual abuse. After attempting suicide, America is placed in a treatment center where Dr. Brennan helps him open up about his painful past and discover the support and courage he needs to get his life back on track.

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Plot Keywords:

adoption | one word title | country name in title

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 February 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sony Pictures Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min 89 min (DVD)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Rosie O'Donnell's Vision: The Making of 'America' (2009)

User Reviews

Very realistic picture of the despair of foster kids

America was the name of this older teen in the foster care system. This movie was very powerful as you could see via the flashbacks that America had been loved at one point in his young life and longed for love again deep down though he acted like he didn't care about anything.

Why don't more people foster kids I wonder? So many horror stories in the news are about horrific events done to and by foster kids. And so many TV shows show the negative side of it as well.

My husband and I fostered our daughter before she was available for adoption. And yes we took a chance that we may lose her. But it was worth it. She needed love then when she was a foster kid as well as now.

I hope more people watch this movie and gain some empathy for the kids that need our love and support.