Amy (1998)

43% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(1,232 ratings)

Nadia Tass directed this Australian comedy-drama about deaf-mute Amy (nine-year-old singer-recording artist Alana De Roma), traumatized by seeing her rock-star father Will (Nick Barker) killed in an electrical accident at an outdoor concert during a rainstorm. His widow Tanya (Rachel Griffiths)… More Nadia Tass directed this Australian comedy-drama about deaf-mute Amy (nine-year-old singer-recording artist Alana De Roma), traumatized by seeing her rock-star father Will (Nick Barker) killed in an electrical accident at an outdoor concert during a rainstorm. His widow Tanya (Rachel Griffiths) retreats with Amy to an outback farm, but child welfare officers force a return to Melbourne for Amy's education. They move into a shabby house in a working-class neighborhood of losers where they meet musician Robert (Ben Mendelsohn), battered neighbor Sarah Armstrong (Kerry Armstrong) and her son Zac (Jeremy Trigatti), Zac's alcoholic father Bill Trendle (William Zappa), two slow-witted brothers (Torquil Neilson, Sullivan Stapleton), grouchy Mrs. Mullins (Mary Ward), and Robert's sister (Susie Porter). Amy was shown at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Nadia Tass
Written By: David Parker
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 2, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Jan 4, 2005
Studio: World Wide Motion Pictures

Critic Reviews

Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Nowhere near as good as Tass and Parker's best film, the delightful Malcolm.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Ultimately undone by a less-than-credible, often cloying screenplay marked by underdeveloped characters and contrived situations.
Jan Stuart, Newsday
A crowd-charming contemporary fable with more than a touch of Dickens in its go-for-broke heart.
Lawrence Van Gelder, New York Times
Provides satisfactions that must be balanced against its flaws.
Jessica Winter, Village Voice
It's far too easy to hold a grudge against Nadia Tass's stultifying Amy, which would set a new bar for mawkish exploitation of a child's suffering if its every situation and character weren't so laughably bogus.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Punchy, vital entertainment that gives mother and daughter equal importance and whose story unfolds in an engaging and imaginative context.
Chuck Wilson, L.A. Weekly
[Tass] accents the easy bathos of David Parker's script.
Misha Berson, Seattle Times
This well-meaning film is really just another one-hanky slum fairy tale -- this time with an Aussie accent.
Paula Nechak, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
All over the map, not able to make up its mind whether it wants to be slapstick or a heart-wrenching drama.
Steve Simels, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An earnest attempt to fob off a sentimental and rather silly melodrama as a gritty piece of urban realism.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
Effectively combines the genres of musical, drama and comedy in a delightfully, family-friendly film.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
A moving and wise story.
, E! Online
Nothing to sing about.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Dannielle A

BEST MOVIE I've seen in a looong time. It definitely evoked a lot of emotion and some tears. Incredible acting by young De Roma and very interesting storyline.