 | 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. |
Dirty Girl
- Review Date: October 7, 2011
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Foul-mouthed, highly sexed movie has a muddled message.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this uneven 1980s-set dramedy is about the friendship between a foul-mouthed, promiscuous, cigarette-smoking teen girl and a shy, overweight, gay teen boy who are both looking for some kind of family connection. There's nearly constant strong language (including "f--k," "s--t," "c--k," "p---y," and more), as well as heavy sexual innuendo and sexual suggestion (including teens having sex in a car and brief male frontal nudity in pictures). Teens regularly smoke cigarettes, and there's a violent scene of a father beating up his teen son. Due to the content and subject matter, it's not age-appropriate for teens under 17.
What's the story?
In Norman, Oklahoma, circa 1987, Danielle (Juno Temple) is unhappy. Her mother (Milla Jovovich) is dating a religious zealot (William H. Macy) who wants to convert the family, and Danielle drifts through high school using foul language, having sex, and smoking cigarettes. In a family life class, she's paired with overweight, gay classmate Clarke (Jeremy Dozier), whose father wants him to be more of a man. Clarke and Danielle are assigned to take care of a "baby," i.e., a sack of flour. But when Danielle learns the identity of her real father, she coaxes Clarke to steal his mom's car, and they hit the road for California, their sack of flour (named "Joan") in the back seat. Will any of these misfits find the family they so desperately want and need?
Is it any good?
Falling victim to the "Grinch" syndrome, DIRTY GIRL is much more fun when Danielle is behaving badly. Unfortunately, that only lasts about 20 minutes, and as soon as she befriends Clarke -- an unlikely situation in itself -- the fun ends. The rest of the movie cooks up the usual road-trip clichés, with sing-a-longs to many 1980s radio tunes. It tries to throw in surprises here and there, but these only seem like an extension of what came before, rather than any kind of sudden twist or turn.
Moreover, the filmmakers send mixed messages about family and "being yourself." And thus the bad behavior continues, but with a sour note rather than a gleeful one. The movie's tone wobbles all over the place, ranging from pathos to magical realism (the bag of flour "reacts" to various situations). It all leads to a bizarre, frustrating conclusion that makes very little sense. In short, Dirty Girl should have been more reckless, braver -- and a little dirtier.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the movie's sexual content. How is it presented? Does it look dangerous, appealing, or both? Does the movie have positive or helpful things to say about sex?
Is Danielle too young to be having so much sex? How much does she really know about it? Why is she doing it? Is she lonely? Is she in love? Is she seeking power? Could there be other reasons? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values relating to sex and relationships.
Are the characters relatable? Do you think they're intended to be role models?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 15 years old
April 29, 2012
AGE
good movie, definatly go see
It has really heavy material but in the end the characters show growth and there is an understanding of what is right and a better sense of family values. It has some funny parts but it has alot of foul language.
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Parent
April 26, 2012
AGE
Themes regarding family, 'broken homes' and teenage pregnancy are central
This film does a very good job of portraying friendship and parental bonds. It seems to be a critical look at the nuclear american family as well as the phenomena of broken homes and absent fathers (and teenage pregnancy). As an only child bought up by a single mother and a mother of one and part time step mother of two I found this movies themes resonated with my life and that of my children. The message sent by this film is that parental role models are key in any child's life and I think this is a valid point. You have two families, one of the main characters has an abusive father and the other main character has a mother who is in a relationship with a mormon who her daughter rebels against and then goes off in search of her 'daddy', looking for a 'real' family. I am honestly considering watching it with my 11 year old step daughter as the themes are central to her life and would allow her to reflect on family, mother and father-figures and how her situation affects her. The language is bad and I would never want her using that language but this film has enough intelligent and thought-provoking content which makes it worth while and opens up a dialogue regarding the themes is a positive and important way, I am also aware that she has a lot of knowledge and exposure to all the words used and to sexual content which is not ideal but is the reality. It is quite hard hitting and probably not advisable for younger children, especially if they are at a sensitive age, which is the biggest reason I gave it the age rating I have. I have given it four out of five stars because, although I am generally positive regarding the messages and content, its rather pointed conclusion regarding 'social ills' is somewhat direct and oversimplified. I strongly advise any parent to watch the film first before watching it with any child, even older teenagers.
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Teen, 13 years old
July 15, 2012
AGE
Great movie!
The messages are great, because Danielle and Clark are both trying to help each other, and danielle is going to try and help her family. There is language, and there is a bit of smoking, but not a main part, and there is a bit of violence between clark's dad and him, when his dad hits him. But overall it is a great, positive, and family movie. Loved it, and the entire family enjoyed it... Suggest it for anyone and everyone!
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| Studio: | Weinstein Co. |
| Director: | Abe Sylvia |
| Cast: | Jeremy Dozier, Juno Temple, Milla Jovovich |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 7, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | January 16, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual content including graphic nudity, and for language |
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