Legends of the Fall - R

Tween girls will swoon over this predictable tear jerker.

Rating: R for violence, and for some sexuality and language Studio: Tristar Pictures Directed By: Edward Zwick Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn Running Time: 133 minutes Release Date: 12/16/1994 Genre: Drama

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know this film features limited sexual material (including a sex scene) and language. There is violence throughout the film, including shootings, fights, an impaling and an implied suicide. Most violent acts are motivated by revenge.

Families who watch this film could talk about chick flicks. Who do you think this film was made for? Do you think there is something offensive about the term chick flicks -- or in targeting women with predictable, sentimental movies?

Rate It!

Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Afsheen Nomai

Set during the early 1900s, LEGENDS OF THE FALL is the epic tale of the three Ludlow brothers, Tristan (Brad Pitt), Alfred (Aidan Quinn), and Samuel (Henry Thomas).

Tristan is the wild brother, as opposed to the cultured-but-innocent brother (Samuel) and the savvy-and-ambitious brother Alfred.

Growing up, the three were tight, lead by their headstrong father, Col. William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins). But when Samuel returns home from college with his bride-to-be, Susannah, things get complicated, even more so after Samuel is killed in the war. Tristan and Alfred fight over Susannah and later Susannah fights with Isabel (Karina Lombard), (Tristan's wife) over Tristan.

Legends of the Fall goes a long way to preserve as many stereotypes about settlers in the Wild West as it can, including Native Americans, and the treatment of women in that era. While Hopkins does a good turn as the firm yet emotionally vulnerable father, the rest of the cast is less than stellar. This goes double for Pitt, though the gratuitous shots of his upper torso that appear throughout the film are what made it a major box office hit.

Best viewed on a big screen TV for its breathtaking Academy-Award winning cinematography (we're not talking about Brad's personal landscape), Legends of the Fall is undoubtedly a chick flick. Though unfortunately, women in this film do not fare very well.

Families that enjoy this film, may want to check out other sweeping dramas featuring Brad Pitt, like A River Runs Through It, Seven Years in Tibet and, for older teens, Troy.

Rate It!

Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Sex scene, brief nudity.
Violence Graphic war scenes, multiple shootings, fights, impaling, implied suicide
Language A single use of the f-word.
Message
	Social Behavior This is about familial ties, and presents a strong family with strong, traditional bonds. Non-traditional or criminal behavior has negative consequences. Stereotyical representations of settlers, Native Americans and the treatment of women.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Some drinking.