true to form
Added 4/7/2004
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.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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not bad this,slightly better than usual Made-For-TV fare
Added 3/11/2004
this is an ok film,i suppose.not a classic,but merits a watching.it involves a middle class family,the wife of which dies,leaving the father to provide and raise his children alone.it charts the problems he faces rather simplistically though,and doesnt really get into the deeper problems and psychology involved.also,the characters themselves are too one dimensional and stereotypical.why would the guy refuse help from the doctor?yeah ok he might be proud,but he would know in his heart of heart it was for the best.also,the ending is very poor.halfway between standard hollywood happily ever after,and the rather depressing,it finishes abruptly and questions are left unanswered.all that said,at least some thought was given to this film.sans for the few gaping plot holes,this is an acceptable film.2 out of 5
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Wonderful for Classroom Use
Added 4/26/2002
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.)
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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A MUST-SEE independent film about poverty, pulls no punches
Added 7/25/2001
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.
5 out of 5 people found this helpful.
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Every "middle" class teen in America should see this!
Added 10/21/1999
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!
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Awesome DVD
Added 8/4/2009
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.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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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!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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a must-see
Added 11/7/2007
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 ****
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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