In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I'm recommending this lovely, emotional film from 2002, which is from Jim Sheridan and is the semi-autobiographical story of an Irish family who emigrates to America in the early 1980's, and details their struggles to make it in New York City. This is a beautiful, heartfelt, very sentimental movie, but it works because of the truth of the story and the strength of the performances, especially from Samantha Morton as the fragile wife and mother, and Djimon Hounsou as the dying neighbor the family befriends (both were nominated for Oscars in 2003). Told through the eyes of the older daughter, this a genuinely moving film that will wring tears out of just about anyone.
Trailer:
