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Easy Virtue

(2008, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Jessica Biel, Colin Firth, Kristin Scott Thomas)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Witty but uneven period piece has mature themes.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    A young woman means well, as does her new husband, but somehow they fail to support each other. A mother-in-law is very judgmental and doesn’t seem to be aware of how terrible she can be. A father (who suffers from post-WWI depression/malaise) seems unconcerned about his son’s fate. A young woman and her mother-in-law clash and, after some attempts to get along, dig in their heels for a long fight.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Some yelling, and a dog is accidentally killed. There's also some talk of euthanasia and a fox-hunting scene.

  • Sex:

    A married man undresses his wife, though all the audience sees is a far-off reflection in a mirror. Much moaning ensues. An unhappily married man embarks on a scandalous affair.

  • Language:

    Lots of witty, scathing repartee and a rare use of “bitch.”

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking in social situations, sometimes straight out of the bottle, and endless smoking (accurate for the 1920s era).
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Easy Virtue

Parents need to know that this play-based period comedy might not seem to be standard fare for teens at first glance, but its two leads -- Jessica Biel of 7th Heaven and Prince Caspian's Ben Barnes -- may be a draw. The film tackles some mature themes, mainly regarding marriage and in-law relationships, and has a little swearing. Not surprisingly for a period film, the characters do smoke a lot -- nearly incessantly, actually. There's also drinking and some (though not much) partial nudity.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the movie's messages about marriage and relationships. Are any of the relationships the kind you'd want to have? Do you think the characters take their marriages seriously? Families can also discuss the dynamics of introducing someone new to the fold. Why did John’s mother and Larita take an instant dislike to each other? Why does John tolerate or even seemingly enjoy it? What about John’s sisters? Were their actions understandable or unforgivable?
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