 | 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. |
Curly Sue
- Review Date: July 11, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 1991
Common Sense Media says
A violent, offensive comedy.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film deals with the loss of a parent, presents a child heroine with the mouth of a sailor, incompetent adult protectors, rampant, senseless violence and a message that women should stay home with children rather than work in the outside world. Curly Sue and her dad have little respect for the law; they pick and choose which rules they follow.
What's the story?
Bill (James Belushi) and his daughter Curly Sue arrive in Detroit, broke and homeless. The two immediately set out to scam for food and lodging. Their first target is Grey (Kelly Lynch), a cruel lawyer who isn't married and has no children. When Bill gets himself bumped by Grey's car, the con artists are invited into the lawyer's fabulous home, where they quickly set up a con. Grey discovers that Curly Sue can't read and takes the girl under her wing. When Grey's boyfriend calls social services, Bill and Sue's plan is put in jeopardy.
Is it any good?
Writer/director John Hughes hits a new low with this movie apparently aimed at the preteen set. Filled with superfluous profanity and gratuitous violence, there is little to redeem this exercise in vulgarity. One 11-year-old boy found CURLY SUE annoying, especially the filler scenes made necessary by the lack of significant plot. Case in point: Curly Sue performs the National Anthem by obnoxiously braying all of the lyrics. However, the 11-year-old did laugh at the innumerable punches in the face. Adults and older kids, though, will find such slapstick ridiculous, even offensive.
The young viewer also thought the little girl "needed a swat," which was his impolite way of saying the precocious child will drive you up a wall with her feigned cuteness. And the same young fellow could easily predict the outcome of the incredibly obvious story. The female lawyer character is also problematic -- she is a single, childless woman who, according to the movie, only needs a man and child to make her less nasty, and more human. Kelly Lynch's inability to play comedy doesn't help the situation. The mawkish scenes between the little girl and Lynch are especially irksome.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Curly Sue's and her father's behavior. What different choices would you make if faced with the same situations?
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AGE
Beautiful movie!
A family favorite! I've loved this film ever since I first saw it at about age 8! Don't know anyone who doesn't like it. It's perfectly entertaining with a beautiful yet sad story of a "smart" orphan girl being cared for by "Bill", a friend of her deceased mother - who eventually falls in love with a rich but depressed, kind-hearted woman he sort of stalks. Some situations are very emotional, but it's got everything from happiness and joy to sadness and sorrow followed by some pretty hilarious laugh-out-loud scenes which keeps the movie fun and interesting. Never a dull moment! I used to watch this at least twice a year with my dad (brings back memories of our time together) and it really stuck with me. Some violence but nothing drastic. Sue is very mature for her age and knows a lot about womanhood. Shows you what life without money can be like and what it feels like to spend time on the streets. A great flick!!
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | John Hughes |
| Cast: | Alisan Porter, James Belushi, Kelly Lynch |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 102 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1991 |
| DVD release date: | January 7, 1997 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic intensity |
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