An American Rhapsody

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An American Rhapsody is a 2001 biographical drama film written and directed by Éva Gárdos. It’s based on Gárdos’s own life and follows a Hungarian‑American family and their teenage daughter.

Plot: In 1950, Peter and Margit flee Hungary for the United States, bringing along their eldest daughter Maria. They are forced to leave behind their baby daughter Suzanne, who is raised by foster parents. Five years later, the American Red Cross brings Suzanne to Los Angeles to reunite with her family. She struggles to adjust to a new home and language, and at age 15 she travels to Budapest to learn about her roots and discover who she truly is.

Cast: The film stars Nastassja Kinski, Scarlett Johansson, Tony Goldwyn and Mae Whitman.

Release and details: It’s a United States–Hungary production with dialogue in English and Hungarian. The runtime is 106 minutes. It premiered in 2001 (Nantucket) and was released in the United States on August 24, 2001, with a Hungarian release on February 28, 2002.

Reception: The movie received mixed reviews. Metacritic gives it 51 out of 100 based on 22 critics, and Rotten Tomatoes reports 56% positive reviews from 61 critics, noting that while it is clearly a personal project, the film can feel uneven and heavy in the second half.