Sleepless in Seattle - PG
Common Sense Note
Even teenagers used to edgier fare will fall for this romantic fairytale. Still, parents should know that the main characters are a widower and his young son; the mother's death echoes throughout the movie. There is some mild sexual content and profanity, as well.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Common Sense Media
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE is a throwback to the great romantic comedies of the '30s and '40s. Well written if a tad implausible, it's a fairytale that encourages viewers to believe that true love and destiny will conquer all obstacles.
The movie's structure is a little frustrating; the two main characters spend almost the entire film apart. In less skilled hands, their separate stories could have fallen flat, but first-time director Nora Ephron (best known for writing When Harry Met Sally) manages to pull it off.
Great casting helps. Tom Hanks has never been more appealing and vulnerable, and Meg Ryan is the embodiment of impetuous romance. Rosie O'Donnell and Rob Reiner inject some tart humor as their sidekicks, making sure the story never becomes overly sentimental. The soundtrack underscores the characters' emotions perfectly, with Jimmy Durante and Nat King Cole as notable highlights.
There aren't many movies that parents can watch with older kids; this is one of the rare exceptions. Adults will enjoy the star-crossed romance, and kids will respond to Jonah's predicament. They'll also like the interactions between Jonah and his friend Jessica, a wise and very sarcastic little girl. A fourteen-year-old viewer who'd seen the movie when she was eleven liked it just as much the second time around.
Two love stories in a similar vein are While You Were Sleeping and You've Got Mail, also directed by Nora Ephron and starring Hanks and Ryan.
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Sexual ContentA couple of sexual references. |
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LanguageMild -- a few profane words. |
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Social BehaviorA bit of innuendo. |
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