 | 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. |
The Debt
- Review Date: August 31, 2011
- R
- Genre: Thriller
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
A secret's consequences play out in intense spy film.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this intense spy thriller, which jumps between the late 1960s and the late 1990s, centers on a trio of agents who -- despite being celebrated as heroes -- share a dark secret about a covert mission. Expect several fight scenes that are brutish, bloody, and realistic; you really feel like the characters are fighting for their lives. There's also some swearing (including "f--k") and drinking, and several characters smoke cigarettes (accurate for the '60s setting).
What's the story?
Idealistic and committed, young Rachel Singer (Jessica Chastain), a junior agent in the Mossad, is given a challenging assignment: Help catch former Nazi Dieter Vogel (Jesper Christensen), the so-called "Butcher of Birkenau," who conducted brutal experiments on prisoners and carried out Hitler's grim and grotesque final solution. It turns out Vogel is hiding out in plain sight in East Berlin as a gynecologist -- so, posing as the wife of David (Sam Worthington), who's undercover as a chemist, Rachel becomes Vogel's patient, collecting crucial information for team leader Stephan (Marton Csokas). Soon, a plan to abduct Vogel and bring him to justice in Israel is solidified, but it all goes awry, leaving the three with Vogel on their hands and no clear path to follow. Within weeks, they go home as heroes ... but the truth has a way of revealing itself. A generation later, Rachel (now played by Helen Mirren) is a legend with a book about her involvement in the triumphant capture of Vogel just published, Stephan (Tom Wilkinson) has risen through the ranks, and David (Ciaran Hinds) is still deeply haunted by their past.
Is it any good?
THE DEBT isn't a perfect movie. The plot is leaky, with a central event -- the botching of a carefully laid-out plan -- left fuzzy around the edges. A supremely intriguing romantic triangle is also told in overly broad strokes, leaving so much potential by the wayside. Yet, The Debt is still a masterful film that recalls the suspense and intelligence of decades-old thrillers (the original Taking of Pelham 123, The French Connection, and Dog Day Afternoon, to name a few).
It relies on the basics: a smart (holes aside) script, sharp actors, taut pacing, the works. (Mirren is as flawless as ever, but it's Chastain who stands out, exuding gravity, melancholy, and determination, sometimes all at once.) Plus it has an emotional core that compels the audience to watch and care: What will happen to these three? What did happen after all?
What families can talk about
Families can talk about secrets and lies. Is there ever an appropriate time to lie? What are the consequences of hiding the truth -- both in real life and in this movie?
How does the violence in this movie compare to that in other action thrillers? Does it have more or less impact than bigger, showier, explosion-type violence?
How does this movie portray spies? Is it typical to see older actors playing agents? How does this compare to other spy movies/TV shows you've seen?
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Kid, 9 years old
September 4, 2011
AGE
its r becues
itys oliney r becuse if they say a pg-13 word more thean 3 times i"ts r.
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AGE
Kids might find it boring
Overall this film was fun. It had the same feel and realism as the film Hurt Locker and to be honest it shouldnt be rate R. The fight seens werent incredibly voilent and overdone but tense and realistic, which is why it may not be approppriate for viewers under the age of 14. Basically what im trying to say is that its not an overall action film like the green hornet. The sexual situation arent not as bad as the film abduction; there really isnt anything, in terms of sex that you should worry about if your child watches this. Theres a few f and s words but know where near the amount as in south park or family guy. And the swearing is with all in reason; what I mean is that when they say a "bad word," its generally because the characters are having a near death experiance or somehting is going wrong, Overall I wouldnt worry about the swearing and sex and voilence so much as the plot and wheather or not your child would understand the plot and still be entertained.
I recommend this to older viewers but not to under 14. Simply because they might be let down.
Excuse my english im german
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AGE
And i thought it was gonna be just another spy movie
this movie is great and i really enjoyed watching it but i didnt find it necessary that we had to see rachels doctors appointments 3 times. And the drunk couple in the office was irrelevant. This movie might be very brutal at times and it gives you this wierd feeling that these really old people can still stab shoot and strangle. the story was great and the acting was amazing but you do have to read alot of subtitles
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AGE
Confusing but interesting movie for adults - absolutely inappropriate for children.
I would never let a child under 18 watch this film -
The theme is quite disturbing and there are death camp photographs from WWII. There are two implied sex scenes - one of which was quite irrelevant and very explicit even though the sex isn't shown. There are killings, stabbings, physical attacks, and a very brutal death at the beginning of the film. I wonder if the parents who allowed these children to watch the film and review it - watched it themselves.
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| Studio: | Focus Features |
| Director: | John Madden |
| Cast: | Helen Mirren, Jessica Chastain, Tom Wilkinson |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 104 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 31, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | December 6, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | some violence and language |
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