Customer Reviews

Hidden in America [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was absolutely stunned the first time I saw this one. DON'T pass up your chance to see this one (or better yet own it) before it fades from the market. Better yet, share it with anyone who believes those mysths about homelessness and poverty in American - that the poor are simply lazy, shiftless, unwilling to work hard and make a go of it. If anything is likely to change their minds, this movie could. Beau Bridges shines as Bill Januson, a young widower and father who is struggling to make ends meet while caring for his two children. Bridges shows the depth of pain and confusion felt by a man who has never been poor before, who has never been unemployed before and, as a result, is too proud to accept charity, even if he fully deserves a hand up. His 11 year old son decides to take on the role of bread-winner, coming up with an ambitious scheme to raise money, a courageous decision that nearly results in complete tragedy. But this is a mere bare-bones sketch of a rich, detailed movie. The pace is slow enough to show all the decisions faced by this family every day - the times when a simple meal, clean clothes and a safe, comfortable place to live can't be taken for granted. The pain, despair and self-reliance required to get through each day is portrayed without sentimentality or manipulative drama and the young actor and actress playing the children in this one are superb and keep the movie solidly grounded. A rare heart-tugging film that makes you think about deeper issues in our society and culture.

This is the type of movie that will make you appreciate what you have in life. Beau Bridges gives a remarkable performance as a man who loses his job and wife at the same time and has to fend for himself and two small children, one of whom has a bad medical condition, and he severely struggles throughout the movie to make ends meet, and his pride prevents him from accepting handouts from a well-meaning doctor. Before you start to think that your life is too tough, watch this well-made movie.

*** out of ****

I've used this film with high school juniors for five years, and it has been a great success every time. In fact, as much as I appreciate this film, my students love it even more, and refer back to it continually. The film is a powerful tool for teaching students about the reality of poverty and hunger in America - the reality that most who are poor in this country work full time. (I only wish it could be issued in DVD format.)

This is one of the best movies I've seen to relate a real problem, too often we are so busy helping "mankind' we forget about the "MAN".This movie explains what its like to go from self supporting to poor overnight, every "middle class" teen and their parents should watch this movie, they will gain a new understanding of how fortunate they are. Perhaps they will even look closer at those around them, neighbor co-worker,church member etc..who may not be "making it" due to job loss or other problems and take them a meal or two!Don't wait for them to ask! thats the message of hidden in america. Hats off to the Bridges!Bless you!

The night that I received my DVD I sat down and watched it and to be honest with you I could not leave the couch I was so entranced by the story this DVD is about. It is so very, very true in regards to people that live in The United States.

It is very, very hard for some people to ask for help. I know that because I myself and my family have been there. To be told to put our pride aside is something we just cannot do. Yes, I like the man in this DVD eventually had to accept help from an outsider for the sake of our children. Children should and must ALWAYS, ALWAYS come first no matter what. If you children are in jeopardy of being hurt because of something that happened that is not in your control then you must stand up and put your pride and feelings aside for the sake of the children. That is exactly what the man in this DVD does even though it took him a long time to do so and affected many people.

The United States of America, although generally a great Country to live in sometimes turns a blind eye to their own citizens and this DVD reflects exactly that. I personally have always felt how unfair that is. After all, we have paid our taxes to this Country for many, many years and often times when it comes to people needing the Countries help they are refused are made to feel as though they are low life scum because of their need for assistance however it is alright that we give billions and billions of dollars in aid to help other Countries. Something definitely needs to be done about this.

This story portrays a man that was just to hard to reach out and when he finally did he was treated like he was nothing more then just another number, another beggar and that is not the way this Country should act. We definitely need to take care of our own before we begin taking care of people from other Countries.

I definitely think that every body should watch this movie.

Too many people take starvation in this country far too lightly. This movie brings to life the very certainty that kids do without the common necessities here in the USA.
This movie shows how one doctor, raised and living in the upper class of wealth, gets over his feelings regarding a man who struggles with a restaraunt job just to make ends meet for his two children. This is a very good movie about friendship beyond the bonds of class.

but for the grace of God go I. Very well done. Well worth your time to view this movie. Good for all ages to see what can happen in this age of downsizing and exporting our American manufactering to other countries. Hello, GM and others.

This film shows some of the true problems that face people who fall on hard times. The mother in the family dies leaving extensive medical bills which plunge the family into poverty. The father is too proud to ask anyone for help including a doctor who is the father of his daughter's friend. This movie is fraught with drama and emotion. It tore my heart out when I watched it. It shows that not everyone who is poor becomes that way because they are lazy.

This movie was amazing. It really makes you think. Anything can happen, one day you are living comfortably, eating where and what you want. And then the next day, you are wondering where your next meal is coming from and if you will lose your home. This movie can also teach children that everything they receive should be respected as well as the person(s) that make it possible to have it. For parents, this movie can help us to not teach our children that material things is the be all and end all of life. It also goes to the heart of how people think of the homeless and unfortunate. Not everyone that receives public assistance, food stamps, or some kind of government aide is lazy and won't work. Although this movie is a few years old, the reality is very significant for today. I am very thankful for everything I have and hope to not take my advantages for granted.

Beau Bridges is heartbreaking as a single dad who has never experienced poverty and now must struggle as a newly widowed dad with two pre-teen children. Bruce Davison is so sensitive as the rich doctor, and the film shows that society, not individuals caught in different social classes, is to blame for our children who go hungry. The scene at the Food Stamps office is very realistic and although the movie was made in 1996, it is still accurate in 2009. It does make you appreciate what you have and the son in this movie makes us wake up to the hopelessness of poverty. But it is not a downer - just a great film with lovely moments and totally realistic. Bravo to the Bridges brothers!