 | 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. |
Gracie
- Review Date: September 17, 2007
- PG-13
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Gritty girl soccer drama with a powerful message.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the 15-year-old main character in this '70s-set sports drama is a strong heroine who acts out after one of her family members dies early in the film (a loss that may be upsetting for sensitive kids). She sneaks out of the house, steals her mother's car, shoplifts, and makes out with a guy she met at a bar. She also does a good deal of lying and teenage sulking until her father -- who, along with her brothers, says a lot of sexist things to her -- takes her seriously. Language includes "s--t" and "bastards," as well as some derogatory terms for lesbians. Some underage smoking, as well as a fair amount of rough soccer action (Gracie is knocked down, punched in the face, etc.).
What's the story?
Before girls could Bend It Like Beckham on their own soccer teams, there was no place for them to play or be taken seriously. GRACIE is a story about how all that changed, and it's a fast-paced sports movie to boot. Fifteen-year-old Gracie Bowen (Carly Schroeder) is growing up in 1978 New Jersey surrounded by her soccer-obsessed dad and brothers. When her brother dies in a car accident early in the movie, Gracie is destroyed -- but also determined. One day she walks into the dining room and puts her family on notice: She plans to honor her brother's death by joining the varsity soccer team ... so she can beat the team to which her brother lost his last game. The problem? Oh, just a couple of small matters: first, that the school doesn't have a girls' soccer team and, second, the utter chauvinism of both the school and her family. "It's this simple," her dad Bryan, played by the wonderful Dermot Mulroney, declares. "You're not tough enough." (For anyone who's ever wanted their parents' approval, watching Gracie literally beg her father to help is heartbreaking.) So Gracie decides to go after it herself. She trains in isolation, sneaking into the boys' weight room before school starts (the girls' gym doesn't have weights) to strength-train. But can she convince her father, her brothers, and even her mother -- not to mention her schoolmates -- that she's good enough to try out and play on the varsity team?
Is it any good?
There are great things about this film's admittedly predictable plot. Gracie is a real teen, full of rebellion, bad decisions, and moping along with her more-inspiring traits -- in other words, she's someone that teens can probably relate to and that parents can knowingly roll their eyes over. And the movie has great music, including Bruce Springsteen (hey, it's set in Jersey, after all!). Plus, it's based on the real experience of co-star Elisabeth Shue, who was the only girl on her high school soccer team. That's pretty cool.
Perhaps most importantly, this is a truly great sports movie. The extensive field-action scenes aren't drawn out or laborious. They're quick, well-shot, and get even the most anti-sports viewer caught up in the thick of it. Don't be surprised if you find yourself ducking and weaving as Gracie makes her way down the field. It's enthralling and really makes it clear why Gracie loves the game so much. The film's only downside is its heavy-handed preaching about Title IX, which requires that girls be given equal sports opportunities. Yes, this is a debate that really happened, and yes, it's a great education for kids who didn't know there was a time when people didn't think girls could play soccer. But it's also blatant and not nearly as much fun as the rest of this well-told story.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the perception of girls playing sports has changed since the 1970s, both in real life and in the media. How are girls and women portrayed in contemporary sports movies? Kids: How do people at your school talk about girls who play sports? Are any of the stereotypes or assumptions made about the girls in this movie still in effect today?
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AGE
We walked out after the bar scene
It was awful. Thought I could take my daughter who is 13 and had to walk out of the theater. Never knew how many very inappropriate things were in this movie. Thought it would be an inspirational story. It shoud be for more 16-17 year olds not 13. I was angry that I didn't know about all those bad parts - it was supposed to be fun to go to see the movie for her birthday. BIG disappointment. Glad I know now about this website.
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AGE
Good Conversation Starter
I knew this movie had some inappropriate teen behavior before I took my 11 year old daughter to the movie. I found this to be a good way to talk to my daughter about why Gracie was acting out the way she did in the movie. Most of this movie is about how a disfunctional family handles a tragedy than about soccer. My daughter really liked the movie, but I was glad I did not take my 9 year old boy! I don't think this movie would appeal to boys or youg men.
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AGE
Pay attention to the rating...
My daughter's competitive soccer team planned an outing to watch this movie as a team. Unfortunately, they are 10 years old! We read the "Common Sense" review, and knew full well what we were getting ourselves into - and they were right on! There were several scenes that I wish my 10 year old daughter was not watching. I myself, wish they would have replaced those inappropriate scenes with more soccer footage & competition. It was definitely a good movie with a good message - but I would keep the viewers to 13 years + for sure.
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AGE
AWESOME
I thought this movie is great for any girl. I think it shuld be 9 and up. This is a great movie for girls to show them how to follow their dreams
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AGE
Dont even think!
All of them (almost) smoke! We had to leave the theater cause it was so bad!
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AGE
awsome movie with a important message.
not only is this movie entertaining but it delivers the message of: never stop following your dreams even if the ones u love have lost faith in you.
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AGE
Pretty Darn Good!
This movie is great. It was sad, happy and kind of disturbing. I cride because it was sad and because it was happy. I say it was great!
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts |
| Studio: | Elevation Studios |
| Director: | Davis Guggenheim |
| Cast: | Carly Schroeder, Dermot Mulroney, Elisabeth Shue |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 122 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 31, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | September 18, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | brief sexual content. |
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