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Smart People

(2008, Rated R, Drama, Starring Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ellen Page)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Intelligent, mature film with some shortcomings.

updated 10.30.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A father practically neglects his children and relegates adult responsibilities to his teen daughter, who's eager to please but is desperately lonely and disconnected from him and on the verge of becoming a bitter person. A couple finds it difficult to connect, and the woman lies to finesse an awkward situation. An uncle, in an attempt to help a young relative, introduces her to drugs and alcohol.
  • Violence :

    Nothing more than yelling and arguing.
  • Sex :

    Frank discussion about how condoms feel after a couple has sex (they're shown in bed, presumably naked, though they're under a blanket). Some kissing and groping (in bars and during dates), and some lascivious comments. A man's naked backside is flashed a few times, presumably for comic effect.
  • Language:

    Runs the gamut from low-level insults like "moron" to curse words like "s--t" and "f--k."
  • Consumerism:

    Carnegie Mellon is practically a character in the film; a Wellesley College sweatshirt is a high-visibility prop; close-up shot of Marlboro Lights. Signage for the Omni Hotel, Saab, etc. Mention of Penguin Books.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some drinking and drug use (mostly marijuana) by grown-ups, teens, and young adults. Lots of drinking at restaurants and pubs (social situations) and alone (times of despair and oblivion). A character smokes cigarettes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Smart People

Parents need to know that this film -- which co-stars Ellen Page, who'll no doubt attract a fair share of young Juno fans -- is more dramatic than comic, tackling heavy themes like grief and parental indifference. There's also an iffy sexual interaction -- and it's clearly played out as such -- and a surprise pregnancy (though unlike Juno, it's not the central plot line). Both grown-ups and teens discuss sexual matters candidly, and there's some swearing (including "f--k"), a fair amount of drinking (an adult buys drinks for a minor), and teen drug use (again, instigated by an adult).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the characters' complicated relationships. Do they seem realistic? Why can't Lawrence connect with anyone? What drives him to change? Is the change believable? Are he and Janet a good couple? What about Vanessa? Why does she take on all that she does? Families can also discuss how this movie is similar to and different from other Hollywood films.
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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Smart People?
  •  I think this movie is

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Good flick with great acting...more serious than funny even though there are some laugh out loud moments.Good rainy day movie.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 17
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title off for age 15 and give it 4.0

    Good

    If youa re 13 then why are you watching this in the first place. The movie was rated R due to the nature of the film. The theme that remaining pompous your whole life will sometime catch up with you proving you to be a very unhappy person.

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    it was ok

    ok, yes this movie is rated R for good reasons, but im not a person who sees things and wants to go do them. im pretty mature for my age. if you are going to take someone my age to see this it does show a guys backside twice but really everone has one of those, it is not a huge issue there, but there is language in it and it does have misuse of drugs, like marijuana, it also talks about condoms. there is no horrible nudity and it was ok for me to see, in my opinion. But in terms of being a great movie, it was just ok and i would not waste 20 dollars to go see it, if i were you.

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    "People" is smart, but has its fair share of problems...

    I was attracted to "Smart People" because of its amazing cast, and the movie actually exceeded my expectations. However, the film was somewhat forgettable and unlike what CSM says, I thought the second half of the movie was more intriguing than the first. I thought about walking out of the theater because the characters were blatantly unlikable, but I'm glad I stayed through the duration. Parents, aside from drug refrences (involving a minor) and one or two butt shots (non-sexual), I don't see why this was R. Of course, most kids won't really aprreciate this movie (not to sound pompous, like Dennis Quaid's character.)

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0

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