Ewan McGregor is poorly cast in this movie. More attention seems to have been put in to his dorky wardrobe than creating a believable character. I just could not suspend my disbelief and see him as a psychiatrist. Ditto for Naomi Watts; she is just too good looking in the part of artist/art teacher. Much over-wrought acting from McGregor - and very little substance. The movie is trying to make a visual impact via repetative use of imagery, mirrors especially, elements overlapping from one scene to the next, but I don't think this was to good effect. Includes totally superfluous strip bar scene - although the women are clad (somewhat...). How many movies to we need to watch with the ubiquitous strip bar scene? What a cliche. This movie spins a tale that is just not believable to me and is poorly told. It just didn't work.
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Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Complex movie with mature themes -- not for kids.
Why We Rated This 
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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What Parents Need to Know
About Stay
Parents need to know that this movie deals with difficult issues (loss, suicide, depression) in unusual ways (fractured imagery, nonlinear narrative, morphing characters). Younger viewers may be mystified by the movie's resistance to making standard sense. It begins with a car crash, the camera spinning violently to suggest the perspective of an obviously traumatized rider in the car. The film also features some harrowing, nightmare-like imagery, including spiral staircases, "doubles" of people, and repeated scenes that make time and space seem disjointed. Two characters appear with head wounds that bleed profusely, a dog attacks someone's arm, a young woman is restrained by doctors, and several characters refer to suicide; one character discusses her attempt with razor blades and shows her scars, and another puts a gun in his mouth and shoots, whereupon the shot cuts away without showing the blast, but cuts back to show his bloody head on the pavement. An art history lecture features disturbing paintings by Goya (soldiers and bloodied bodies). One character falls down the stairs and hits his head, hard. Some women appear in tight clothes, a brief visit to a strip bar includes pole dancers, mostly in the background. Characters use profanity, smoke cigarettes, and drink liquor, usually in despair or in an effort to self-medicate.
Read our full review by Cynthia Fuchs
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about suicide, as at least two characters attempt it. How do Henry's memories and dreams, and Sam's efforts to understand them, play tricks on the characters, and by extension, the audience? How does the movie represent loss and grieving?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
This movie jusr didn't work for me,
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
One of the Greatest Films Ever Concieved By Man
This film is awesome. I turned of the TV feeling somewhat elightened. I reccomend this to every body I know but their are a few censorship problems. There is some violence and language but an person who is mature enough to understand the content is fine with the movie. Sur,e there is an EXTREME twist ending that might take away the emotion from the film, but it still is a worthwhile watch for the family.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
one of the best movies i have ever seen
i think that this is a really good movie and okay for like 14+. theres no outward violence, or sex or drug use. theres threats, but thats as far as it goes. i dont remember any language, even if there was there was very little. i think if you like this movie and get it you should also see the matrix.
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