Charlie St. Cloud (PG-13, 2010)

common sense media says

Poignant Efron drama too intense for younger fans.

parents & educators say

88% say there are positive role models
88% say there are positive messages

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."

Positive messages: The movie seems to be telling audiences not to live in the past -- and that the best way out of tragedy is to take one step at a time toward joy, no matter how hard that may seem. It also says that putting off a dream doesn't mean losing it completely.

Positive role models: Charlie is an amazing brother -- but he's so dedicated and loyal that his own needs go by the wayside. He doesn’t know how to manage his grief and instead drowns in it. Charlie and Sam's parents are mostly out of the picture, either for sad reasons (abandonment) or out of necessity (work).

Violence: A child dies in a terrible car accident; viewers don’t see much gore, but they do see blood, cuts, and bruises. Guys talk trash after a sporting event and at a bar; one of them gets punched in the mouth.

Sex: Talk about “getting laid.” A couple kisses passionately and spends the night together; he's seen with his shoulders bare. Charlie is seen shirtless.

Language: An 11-year-old says “ass” and “d--k.” “S--t” is also used a couple of times; other words include "hell," "damn," and "crap."

Consumerism: A few labels are flashed, including Kaenon (maker of sunglasses) and Tanqueray.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A terrible car accident is caused by a drunk driver. Teens talk about partying. A young man drowns his sorrows with hard liquor. Friends down Jaeger bombs at a bar.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details

Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Burr Steers
Cast: Amanda Crew, Kim Basinger, Zac Efron
Genre: Drama
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: July 30, 2010
DVD release: 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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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo

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What parents & educators say

Based on 8 parent & educator reviews:

88% say there are positive role models
88% say there are positive messages
75% say language is an issue
50% say sexual content is an issue

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

nammy
adult

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.

What other families should know

Movie Details

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Charlie St. Cloud (PG-13, 2010)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Charlie St. Cloud

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Movie Details

Watch our review

Review It

Review Charlie St. Cloud

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Good for Tweens and teens and adults

powerful but heart breaking movie is to intense for kids

Strange, but Good

Love it!

To complex for younger viewers.

Made my top 5 movie list

Perfect for kids over age 11 due to a sexual scene

A great movie for anyone over thirteen:)

Great Movie

it was good but no younger children

watch out parents

Boring pretty slow movie

Very good, very emotional. Teens and up.

Good move, but WAY to confusing

Depressing....... But great Movie!!

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