Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature drama is more introspective than inspirational.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Detachment
What's the Story?
Mr. Barthes (Adrien Brody) works as a substitute teacher in tough New York City schools, willing to take on month-long assignments without getting tied down. Unlike some of his colleagues, his detachment allows him to deal with the cruel students -- and to connect with the good ones -- without ever getting personally involved. But things change when a teen prostitute, Erica (Sami Gayle), comes on to him. He takes her home to give her something to eat, and she ends up staying. Like everyone else in his life, Mr. Barthes tries to cut Erica loose, but when one of his students tries to commit suicide, he finds that he's really missing something important in his life.
Is It Any Good?
Tony Kaye, the controversial director of American History X, returns to filmmaking with DETACHMENT, an emotionally powerful, enlightening drama. Brody plays a distant, closed-off character, but he relies on his natural charisma to draw focus to himself. He carries his pain just below the surface, locked away but still present. He's mesmerizing, especially when facing some kind of conflict.
The other characters -- played by an impressive cast including James Caan, Lucy Liu, Marcia Gay Harden, Christina Hendricks, and Tim Blake Nelson -- help to provide perspective as harried, frenzied, damaged, deluded souls. The movie throws in some strange, occasional blackboard animation and amber-colored flashbacks to help set the mood. The story's events may line up a little too neatly to test Brody's character on cue, but the emotional responses are truthful, and the movie's satisfying ending is earned.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the movie portrays teachers and schools. Does it seem realistic or exaggerated? Teens: Do you think about your teachers' lives outside the classroom? Do you think any of them feel the way that Mr. Barthes does?
Is Mr. Barthes a role model? What does he do right, and what could he have done better?
Why does Meredith want to commit suicide? What other choices could she have made to improve her situation? How could Mr. Barthes have helped?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 16, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : September 18, 2012
- Cast : Adrien Brody , Christina Hendricks , Marcia Gay Harden
- Director : Tony Kaye
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Tribeca Productions
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 14, 2020
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