Common Sense Note
Parents should think twice about letting young teens watch this film. The hero suffers much emotional and physical abuse at the hands of authority figures. The film features teens and adults abusing alcohol, as well as illegal and prescription drugs. It also includes semi-graphic scenes of teenage sex and extramarital affairs. The characters use profane language freely. Note: the film starts and ends with the assisted suicide of a character.
If parents do decide to allow their children to watch this film, they should be aware that the narrative feeds into the adolescent tendency to see his/her life as a disaster caused by the adults who control it. Parents may want to use this opportunity to discuss their relationship with their children. How do you match up against Igby's parents? Does your child identify with Igby? They may also want to use this opportunity to talk to their kids about drugs and feelings of isolation.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kelly Kessler
IGBY GOES DOWN tells the dark story of a trust fund baby (Kieran Culkin) whose family money merely serves as a means to shuffle him around from prep school to military school. His less than ideal family includes an abusive and insensitive mother (Susan Sarandon), a depressive father in residence at the "Maryland home for the befuddled" (Bill Pullman), and an unpleasant super-preppy and overachieving older brother Oliver (Ryan Phillippe). Flunking out of school and smoking whatever he can find, Igby (a name picked up as a result of a childhood mispronunciation) heads to New York to work for his real estate mogul godfather (Jeff Goldblum). While in the city, Igby believes he has found his escape in the form of catering waitress (Claire Danes) and a drugged up artist (Amanda Peet). New York turns out to be less than the haven for which Igby had hoped. He must navigate family secrets, disdain for his dying mother, and drug abuse as he tries to find himself.
IGBY GOES DOWN is a perfect vehicle for the depressed Generation Y teen. Only Kids can make this film seem like an upper. Full of trauma at the hands of deceitful and abusive adults, the film constructs the adolescent as almost helpless to the whims of those in power. The film lacks wholly redeemable characters. Even our hero -- stoned, escapist, and self-centered -- fails to come off as very likable. Overall, however, IGBY GOES DOWN has an engaging narrative and interesting (if not very nice) characters. The music of bands such as Coldplay and the Dandy Warhols underscores the edgy teen angst. Nominated for the Golden Globe, Culkin (The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys) does a fine star turn as the troubled Igby and proves to be more than just a footnote in the Culkin brood.
Parents should know that this film is not recommended for kids. For more family-friendly viewing featuring Kieran Culkin, try Father of the Bride, Father of the Bride 2, and The Cider House Rules.
Rate It!
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| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentExtramarital affairs, teenage sex, some mild nudity. |
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ViolencePhysical and mental abuse suffered by the main character at the hands of various sources (parents, brother, teachers, therapists), assisted suicide. |
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LanguageMuch cursing by many of the characters, especially by the teenage hero. |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorThis film is almost wholly lacking redeemable characters. Everyone lies, cheats, disappoints, and abuses substances. Care/concern for others is wholly linked to a greater concern for oneself. |
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Commercialism |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThe film includes pill popping, drinking, and pot smoking on the part of the main character, his friends, and his family. Substances are both the source and solution for problems. Characters show pride in wrapping the perfect joint. A main character suffers a heroin overdose, and the hero is paid to deliver drugs. |
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