Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Annie acts like a typical sullen tween when she finds herself shipped off to spend the summer with her grandfather. She sneaks out of the house, attempts to run away, and takes the boat she promised her grandfather that she wouldn't touch. However, she soon learns that her actions have consequences and makes amends for her behavior. There's a frightening scene where Annie almost drowns, as well as a spooky scene in a dark wooded area. A character is devastated by the death of his daughter. Annie becomes upset when she finds out her parents are considering putting Grandfather Donald in a retirement home -- you may want to have a conversation with your kids about the different ways people take care of their elderly relatives.
Families who see this movie can discuss what Annie learns about herself by the end of the summer, and what she learns from her grandfather. Why does Grandfather Donald's gift mean so much to Annie? Kids may be inspired to talk to older family members and find out what fascinating stories they have to share. Some children may even decide to take up chess!
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Beth Pratt
It's finally summer, and twelve-year-old Annie Lamm (Jordan-Claire Green) has big plans: hanging out in New York with friends and flirting with boys. She's horrified when her parents (Lea Thompson and Thomas Gibson) inform her that she'll be spending the summer in Hilton Head with her 76-year-old Grandfather Donald (Paul Dooley), whom she barely knows.
Grandfather's "beautiful house right by the beach" is in terrible shape, and Annie couldn't have less in common with him -- his pastimes include playing chess, listening to old records, and telling the same old stories to his pal Barney (Martin Mull). Bored out of her mind, Annie makes plans to sneak out and take a bus back to the city.
However, Annie's escape doesn't go as planned, and she ends up back at Grandfather Donald's house. His ability to forgive her for her poor judgment makes Annie see him in a new light. As she starts to make more of an effort to get to know her grandfather, she finds that they have more in common than she thought. Annie gains a new respect for him, and even learns to enjoy the "tall tales" that he shares. But just as she's starting to settle into her new life and make some friends, her parents come back with the intention of putting Grandfather Donald in a retirement home. Annie must find a way to convince them to let her grandfather stay in the place he loves.
Kids will definitely relate to Annie, who is a little bratty at the beginning of the movie. Like any tween, she sees the summer as a chance to hang out with friends, and she resents that she's being shipped off to spend time with a grandfather she doesn't even know. Adults will empathize with Annie's parents, who must grapple with the all-too-common dilemma of how to care for an elderly parent who is slowing down but isn't quite ready to give up his independent life. Everyone will enjoy the gorgeous South Carolina setting, and those familiar with Hilton Head will get a kick out of seeing local legend Gregg Russell as a carpenter with a secret.
Overall, COME AWAY HOME is a fantastic film to share with your kids. It's refreshingly free of profanity, sex, and violence, and the message about the importance of family is always a valuable one. Warning: Although the movie ends on a positive note, you may want to keep the tissues handy.
Families who enjoy this movie may also like Her Majesty, another film that highlights the beauty of inter-generational friendships.
Rate It!
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ViolenceA possibly haunted house and forest are a little creepy. In a scene that may frighten sensitive kids, Annie nearly drowns. |
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Social BehaviorAlthough Annie is a little bratty at first and disobeys her grandfather, she ultimately learns a lesson and comes to appreciate her grandfather. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoBrief scene involving smoking. |
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