An American Rhapsody (2001)

55% of critics liked it
(60 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(3,159 ratings)

A true story based on the life story of writer/director Eva Gardos, this film depicts the personal odyssey of a family's escape from Communist Hungary. One night, Margaret (Nastassja Kinski) and Peter (Tony Goldwyn) arrange to escape Hungary with their eldest daughter in tow, forcing them to leave… More A true story based on the life story of writer/director Eva Gardos, this film depicts the personal odyssey of a family's escape from Communist Hungary. One night, Margaret (Nastassja Kinski) and Peter (Tony Goldwyn) arrange to escape Hungary with their eldest daughter in tow, forcing them to leave behind their youngest, Suzanne, in the care of Margaret's mother. When the mother is separated from the young child, she goes to live in a peaceful Eastern European countryside with a loving man and woman who raise her until age six, where Suzanne is sent for by her birth parents, now living in America. She finds the adjustment difficult and does not fully comprehend that Margaret and Peter are her parents, but she is willing to stay, and if she feels the same way in several years, Peter has agreed to give her a ticket back to Hungary. Later, as a rebellious teenager (played by Scarlett Johansson), with Margaret becoming a highly overprotective mother, she takes her father up on his offer to go back and reconnect with those who raised her as a child. While in Hungary, she has a change of heart , however, and discovers her true identity. The feature also co-stars Mae Whitman, Emmy Rossum, and Larisa Oleynik. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Éva Gárdos
Written By: Éva Gárdos
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Aug 10, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Jan 22, 2002
Studio: Paramount Classics

Critic Reviews

Jay Carr, Boston Globe
An American Rhapsody, in its straightforward way, earns its emotions.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
An American Rhapsody speaks from the heart to the heart.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
This should be a fascinating story, but An American Rhapsody never develops a melody or a rhythm, much less the epiphany the title suggests.
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
The film is never less than engaging.
Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News
A profoundly touching event.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
A near-great film for about an hour that changes into a self-indulgent mess.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A heartfelt coming of age tale of an Hungarian-American adolescent, well acted by Scarlett Johansson
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
In spite of the movie's inflated title, writer/director Eva Gardos tells an emotionally charged story of Hungarian immigration that is touching and historically accurate.
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
Just another faux-weepy drama told with a standard fetishistic immigrant's sentimentality.
Hazel-Dawn Dumpert, L.A. Weekly
The States becomes an apple-pie wonderland of Elvis and Coca-Cola, the old country either a gray police state or, in scenes of Suzanne's happy childhood, a pastoral haven.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
The 'stranger in a strange land' story has been told many times, in print and on film, but seldom as poignantly.
Mark Halverson, Sacramento News & Review
Begins with harrowing detail but develops gaping holes as a decade and a half of potentially volcanic events and relationships is molded into a 106-minute movie.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
A beautiful film that covers the full spectrum of emotions. For the most part, it's convincing and poignant.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Based on director Eva Gardos' own experiences, this film depicts a 15-year-old girl's quest to revisit and come to terms with her past in Hungary.
Matt Easterbrook, Matt's Movie Reviews
It's a powerful, affecting portrait of a young woman trying simultaneously to rebel and find her roots.
Dan Lybarger, Lawrence Journal-World
By focusing a little more on people than she does on ideology, director Gardos ends up with a patriotism that seems more honest and compelling.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
There's something about this film that speaks so loudly of real emotions and real events as to transcend all shortcomings.
Pete Croatto, Filmcritic.com
Most of the movie, unfortunately, lacks emotional power.