 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Charlie St. Cloud
- Review Date: July 20, 2010
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Poignant Efron drama too intense for younger fans.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this affecting drama starring High School Musical heartthrob Zac Efron tackles themes that may be too heavy for his legions of tween fans. His character is tortured with survivor's guilt over the death of his younger brother, which happens in a terrible car accident (some blood is shown). While there are other intense scenes of despair and sadness, there’s also hope and a strong message about leaving tragedy behind in favor of joy. Expect some swearing (including "s--t"), the suggestion of underage drinking (though none is shown), and some kissing and discussion of "getting laid."
What's the story?
Charlie St. Cloud (Zac Efron) is a great sailor -- so much so that he’s been offered a scholarship at Stanford. But he’s an even better brother. He adores his 11-year-old sibling, Sam (Charlie Tahan), a Red Sox fan with a quick wit and a barrel of admiration for Charlie. And since their father is long gone and their mother (Kim Basinger) is busy pulling double shifts at work to support them, Charlie’s happy to take care of Sam. But on the way to a friend’s house one night, a drunk driver slams into their car, leaving Sam dead and Charlie bereft. The only way to manage the grief, it seems, is for Charlie to keep his pledge to Sam to spend an hour playing catch every day after work, even if that means putting his life on hold. Or is it?
Is it any good?
Make no mistake: CHARLIE ST. CLOUD aspires to be a tearjerker. As such, it commits a few sins that most tearjerkers do, including milking its tragic setups and hinting at their arrival a little too heavily. It also shamelessly taps into Efron’s pretty boy status; watch as the camera lingers on his worked-out chest and biceps when he removes his shirt in a pivotal scene near the end. Nevertheless, the movie is surprisingly poignant -- and for that, there’s Efron to thank. This heartthrob can act. He’s especially disarming paired with Charlie Tahan, who plays Sam. The film does an excellent job of establishing their rapport immediately; in fact, they’re so believable as brothers that when Sam dies and Charlie suffers plaintively, it feels like a punch to the gut.
Unfortunately, Efron and his love interest, played by Amanda Crew, don’t have much chemistry. And, as Charlie and Sam's mom, Basinger disappears too quickly and completely after an interesting cameo. Despite this, and a somewhat fuzzy spin on the afterlife, Charlie St. Cloud manages to move. It may even make you cry.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what audience the movie is intended to appeal to. Is it meant for Efron's younger fans? Do stars who are popular with younger kids have an obligation to make media that's appropriate for them?
What role does alcohol play in the movie's central tragedy? What are the real-life consequences of drinking?
Why is Charlie consumed by guilt? Can you keep the memory of a deceased
loved one alive without getting lost in death? How does the movie handle
this topic?Do you believe in second chances? Why?
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Adult
July 31, 2010
AGE
I loved the book and was very excited about the movie. I was afraid that Zac Efron's leading role might turn into nothing more than a teenie-bopper's delight and spoil the message of the story, Instead, Zac has turned the corner and become a true actor and leading man! The story followed the book fairly closely, but may be hard to undeerstand the first time through. My biggest disappointment was with the ending. The change the writer made was huge and completely unnecessary. It diminished the deepest meaning of the story. The few bad; words were barely noticeable, and the romance was implied more that shown. Charlie's grief at his brother's death was hard to watch. My advice, read the book.
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Educator
January 23, 2011
AGE
powerful but heart breaking movie is to intense for kids
s**t is used 4 times ass is used 3 times and d**k is used 2 times
there is drunk people and a kid is killed
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Teen, 15 years old
March 6, 2011
AGE
this movie is so sad!
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Teen, 15 years old
August 15, 2010
AGE
Strange, but Good
This movie was very strange. I thought Zac Efron put on an absolutely wonderful performance, but the movie as a whole wasn't that interesting. There is one scene in which the two main characters have sex, but nothing too graphic is shown. I think the overall message of the movie, to live your life as well as you can and let go of things that happened in the past, is a very good one. This movie has a sad/depressing tone almost the whole way through. I might not recommend it.
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Teen, 14 years old
January 5, 2011
AGE
Love it!
I really like this movie. It is very capturing and has a great plot. I enjoyed watching it with my family :)
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Kid, 12 years old
March 5, 2011
AGE
Great Movie
This movie was awesome! Charlie was an amazing brother and it was so sad when the car accident occured. it was confusing at times but it all tied together at the end. charlie was a bery devoted brother to Sam and i really liked that part. Charlie aslo showed to care about others when he saved a girls life who everyone thought had died.
You have to see this movie.
It's AWESOME!
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Kid, 12 years old
March 28, 2011
AGE
Good for Tweens and teens and adults
Awesome movie! A little Violent involving Drunk Driving, Car accidents and Deaths. Mild Language, And some Sensuality, But its rated PG-13 for something right? Awesome movie and perfect for a Tween Sleepover!
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Teen, 17 years old
December 29, 2010
AGE
THis movie was great! There was nothing I wouldn't let a 10 year old see. I think it might be just a little to intence for a 9 year old. There was very light sexual content nothing that you couldn't fast forward through. I'm concerned a little about some of the violence because there is a very intense car acciident but there is little gore! Also there was an inspireing message near the end. But I strongly recomend to a parent that is considering letting their child watch this to not only base their final decision on their childs age and to also think about their childs matureity level.
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Teen, 16 years old
September 8, 2010
AGE
To complex for younger viewers.
This was surprisingly a really good movie! Zac Efron is actually a really good actor. All I have to say is if you have young kids do not i repeat DO NOT take younger kids to see this a couple behind us in the theater made that mistake and all their kids did the whole movie was ask questions about what was going on and what words meant and then they freaked out on the kissing scenes and turned away and made there parents tell them once they were done kissing! It was very annoying. little kids just cant comprehend this movie very well its way to complex for them.
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Kid, 11 years old
February 5, 2011
AGE
Made my top 5 movie list
This was a great movie! I'd love to watch it 10 more times! It's sad, but a great story. Plus Zac Efron is super cute! Great sleepover movie :)
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Burr Steers |
| Cast: | Amanda Crew, Kim Basinger, Zac Efron |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 100 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 30, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | November 9, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language including some sexual references, an intense accident scene and some sensuality |
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