American Rhapsody (Widescreen)

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.

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.