American Rhapsody (Widescreen): Amazon.ca: Nastassja Kinski, Scarlett Johansson, Raffaella B�ns�gi, Tony Goldwyn, �gnes B�nfalvy, Zolt�n Seress, Klaudia Szab�, Zsolt Z�goni, Andr�s Sz�ke, Erzsi P�sztor, Carlos Laszlo Weiner, Bori Kereszturi, �va G�rdos, Adam Haight, Andrew G. Vajna, Bonnie Timmermann, Colleen Camp, Eric Sandys, Jay Firestone: DVD

Actors: Nastassja Kinski, Scarlett Johansson, Raffaella B�ns�gi, Tony Goldwyn, �gnes B�nfalvy
Directors: �va G�rdos
Writers: �va G�rdos
Producers: Adam Haight, Andrew G. Vajna, Bonnie Timmermann, Colleen Camp, Eric Sandys
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English, Hungarian
Subtitles: English
Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number of discs: 1
MPAA Rating:
Studio: Paramount Vantage
Release Date: Jan 22 2002
Run Time: 106 minutes

Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

ASIN: B00005RYLY
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #32,559 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)

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Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

A Wonderful, Beautiful Film! Feb 13 2004

By M. Katayama-Lee

Format:DVD

First of all, it was so refreshing to watch a movie that didn't seem like it came straight from the same old Hollywood recycling bin. This movie was original, unique, and very well cast and directed. This film also tells the story of a piece of history and a part of the world that is often overlooked and stereotyped. In a day and age where many films are made about "ethnic minority" immigrants, it was interesting to watch a film depicting the struggles of immigrants from a country in Europe (Hungary) that went through so much turmoil and hardship. The transition of different time periods and places (half the movie is set in Hungary - the other half in Los Angeles) was also smooth and well executed. Lastly, the cast was superb. Each character fit their individual roles perfectly and it was also interesting to see a pre-"Lost in Translation" Scarlett Johanssen. I highly recommend this film!

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FINDING YOURSELF Dec 26 2002

By Bonita L. Davis

Format:VHS Tape

Teenagers have a difficult time in coping with their sense of identity and relationship with their family. This problem is increased two-fold for sixteen year old Suzanne. Left in Hungary as an infant while her parents and older sister escaped to America, Suzanne is attempting to come to terms with who she is and what she has in common with this family of strangers.

Based on a true story, American Rhapsody explores the consequences of well meaning actions that alienate a child from its parents. Magrit and Peter are well meaning parents who leave Suzanne behind in order to escape from the harsh Stalinist regime. Taking an infant with them would cause more problems. So they plan their escape and make sure that Suzanne will follow. Alas, the best laid plans fall apart and it won't be until six years later that their child is reunited with them. Magrit finds that leaving that infant behind has resulted in far more deeper problems than anticipated.

In this movie we see the guilt and sorrow of parents who have to leave their child. The resentment and dynamics of leaving one family to another is readily played out is this drama. You can understand Suzanne's pain and anger. You will sympathize with the mother burdened by guilt and is determined to protect this child.

This is a remarkable story with great actors portraying those real life people who had to endure such agony. The story is not a "downer" but lends hope to a family's quest for freedom and a better life for their children. It also shows the mistakes that parents make in attempting to protect their children from the reality of growing up.

A fine addition to the film canon. July 1 2002

By A Customer

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The ending had me in tears because it was sweet & true. Although I was born in the U.S., both my parents are from Hungary. My father had to escape during the Communist era, although at a later period than depicted in this film (1950s there), and my mother still talks as if she experienced situations that I will never understand and can't imagine (having gone through WWII and the Hungarian Revolution). The mother in this film goes through something horrific that her daughter only discovers in her teens.

This film brought out so well the teenage girl caught between two cultures - Hungarian (she spends her first five years in Hungary) and American (she grows up in the US). She eventually realizes that she doesn't quite fit into either, at least not yet, and she will have to accept this fact and work with it. That is truth right there. The film also brought out her mother's predicament - trying to raise a daughter with old-fashioned Hungarian values in decadant American society. I don't remember another film that explored issues like this (issues that are true, I'm sure, for other immigrant families, not just Hungarian ones). I wasn't aware of this film when it was first released, but I'm so happy it was made available on video. I recommend it highly for anyone interested in Hungary, history, immigrants, 1950s America, the mother/daughter relationship, or first generation Americans. Thank goodness some of what we (first generation Americans) go through finally made it to film. Bravo to all involved.