runamokprods A moving drama about the under-explored tragedy of hunger among those out of work, or under employed in modern America – especially how it effects the children of those families.However, unlike Bell's great earlier films "American Heart", which explored an ex-con trying to re-integrate into society, or his documentary 'Streetwise' which unblinkingly studied runaway teens in Seattle, this film feels a bit soft, and just a a touch preachy. Of course, this was a TV movie, not a feature, and that could explain the slight lack of edge. It's still bravely dark compared to most American films, but there's never a question of the film's agenda here. Of course that's partly due to the difference in subject, but it effects everything; the lighting, the music, even the supporting cast (producer Jeff Bridges appears as a rich doctor, and while he's one of the best American actors of our time, there's something distracting about seeing him in a cameo in a film starring his brother, where the two men are treated as unrelated and never even meet on screen).Beau Bridges does his usual very solid job as the father, likable and human if headstrong and too prideful to get the help his family needs. And generally the acting is all quite good. I just felt a little manipulated – to a good cause and a good end mind you – something I never felt in Bell's previous work. In the end, though, the importance of the story, and the strength of the performances win out, and this is still very much a film worth seeing.

The_Core In between "Streetwise," "American Heart" and now "Hidden in America," I think I need to go on Prozac. Over the years director Martin Bell has proven himself master of ruining a person's day -- for some reason he seems mainly attracted to topics related to the poor, hopeless and downtrodden. The fact that his films are uniformly of high quality only makes the situations portrayed all the more depressing, but the verisimilitude of these films elevates them to something well above what mainstream Hollywood usually churns out.Anyway, this film is well acted, fairly well scripted and covers its subject matter effectively. Jeff Bridges has a bit part as a doctor, and (as always) I would have liked to have seen more of him. The fact that this film is set is Seattle is meaningless; a story like this could really happen anywhere in America. 7/10

martin_humble Great film that shows what happens to many people in America, but what the rest of the population wont see. This movie maybe get some thinking going for those who turn their heads or say "get a job" when someone "fail". There isn´t always a choice between being rich or poor, not everyone can succeed despite how hard they try, this movie shows that. Recommended for it´s story and the acting is good. It adds up to 5/10

dtucker86 This film is first class all the way. Beau Bridges is outstanding as a decent, hard-working man who loses his wife and his job and is just too stubborn and proud to accept help. This is the kind of film that makes you stop and think how lucky you are. Just be warned, it is sometimes so sad and grim that its very difficult to watch.