Hidden in America

Hidden in America is a 1996 American television film about poverty in the United States. The film is directed by Martin Bell and stars Beau Bridges, Bruce Davison, and Alice Krige. Bridges plays Bill Januson, a father struggling to support his family and whose pride and optimism prevent him from seeking help until it is too late. Bridges was nominated for multiple awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Emmy Award. The film aired on December 1, 1996 on Showtime[1] and was released to DVD on February 8, 2005.[2]

Hidden in America
DVD cover
GenreDrama
Written byPeter Silverman
Michael De Guzma
Directed byMartin Bell
StarringBeau Bridges
Bruce Davison
Shelton Jane
Jena Malone
Alice Krige
Josef Sommer
Frances McDormand
Jeff Bridges
Music byMason Daring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersJeff Bridges
Neil Koenigsberg
ProducersFred Berner
David R. Ginsburg
CinematographyJames R. Bagdonas
EditorNancy Baker
Running time93 minutes
Production companiesCitadel Entertainment
The End Hunger Network
Fred Berner Films
Showtime Networks
Release
Original networkShowtime
Original release
  • December 1, 1996 (1996-12-01)

Plot

The film tells the story of the Januson family: widowed father Bill and his two children, Willa and Robbie. After working as a welder at General Motors for 17 years, a robot took over Bill's job and the family is now struggling.

Bill's daughter Willa suffers from coughing fits and headaches due to malnutrition, so Bill takes her to see their doctor and next door neighbor, Michael Millerton. Dr. Millerton says that Willa's immune system is weakening for lack of iron. He tells Bill that Willa is now at the age when any period of time without adequate nutrition can have long lasting and irreversible implications. Over time, the two families become friends. The Millertons help their neighbors in various ways, either by lending them money or giving them food.

Son Robbie starts skipping school to find ways to earn money. At first, he helps people bring their groceries to their car and then he walks through the park looking for cans and bottles to recycle. He meets a female mechanic named Gus with whom he develops a friendship. Gus tells Robbie, "A man's not a man unless he pulls his weight." After spending some time together, Robbie and Gus enter into a partnership with each other to fix an old car so they can sell it.

After trying and failing to find a better job, Bill goes to apply for food stamps and is told that the earliest he can receive assistance will be in five days. Later, Bill happens to walk by a construction site and, feeling desperate, he joins in and starts working. By the end of the day, the supervisor decides to hire him.

Gus tells Robbie the car needs a new carburetor. Robbie steals Bill's rent money and buys the part that he needs. The next day, Gus tells him that she found a buyer willing to pay $1,855 for the car and that she's willing to split it with him because of all the help that he has given her. Unfortunately, Gus' coworker borrows the car to see her boyfriend and ends up in a car accident. Having lost hope completely, Robbie attempts to commit suicide by hanging himself in the shower. At the hospital, Robbie confesses to his father about stealing the money. Bill is just happy to see that Robbie will be alright. The film ends on an uncertain but hopeful note as the Millerton and Januson families visit together.

Cast

Production

The film was shot in Toronto.[3] It was co-produced by the End Hunger Network, an organization that dedicates itself to fighting hunger.[1][3]

Award nominations
AwardCategoryRecipientResult
Emmy Awards[4]Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a SpecialBeau BridgesNominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a SpecialFrances McDormandNominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a SpecialJames R. BagdonasNominated
Golden Globe Awards[5]Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TVHidden in AmericaNominated
Satellite Awards[6]Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionBeau BridgesNominated
Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made For TelevisionJena MaloneNominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards[7]Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or MiniseriesBeau BridgesNominated
Writers Guild of America Awards[8]Original Long FormPeter Silverman, Michael De GuzmanNominated
Young Artist Awards[9]Best Performance in a TV Movie/Mini-Series - Young ActorShelton DaneNominated

References
  1. King, Susan (December 1, 1996). "Hard Times on Showtime". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  2. "Hidden in America [DVD]". Amazon. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  3. Scott, Tony (November 26, 1996). "Hidden in America". Variety. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  4. "Hidden In America". Television Academy. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  5. "Winners & Nominees 1997". Golden Globes. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  6. "1997 1st Annual SATELLITE™ Awards". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  7. "The 3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  8. Madigan, Nick (January 13, 1998). "'Seinfeld,' 'Order' top WGA field". Variety. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  9. "18th Youth In Film Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
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