• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

• Is it any good?

  3.0

• Common Sense says

  Drew Barrymore/HBO biopic with adult themes, alcoholism.

Why We Rated This for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

• Messages:

  Families can hurt each other in many ways. Yet, though this movie mines this theme, the bond between Little Edie and Big Edie is palpable. Blood truly is thicker than water, for good or bad.
• Role models :

  It’s important to note that film documents a different time, when fathers talk about needing to marry off their daughters so they don’t have to support them anymore, so there’s some of that here. Little Edie’s parents are distant with each other, and they’re sometimes cruel to her.
• Violence:

  No physical fights, but a couple does argue, and the hostility pierces.
• Sex:

  A married woman carries on with a much younger man, though they’re not shown trysting. There appears to be a chilly understanding between her and her husband. A young woman also has an affair with a married man, a liaison others frown upon; later, he heartlessly breaks up with her. The same person also has other relationships that don’t appear to be good for her. Some kissing, and a couple is shown dressed but in bed.
• Language:

  Not an issue.
• Consumerism:

  Some name-dropping of the Bouviers and the Maidstone Club, but nothing that stands out. One character appears unaware of her spending.
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Main character is an alcoholic. Lots of social drinking and smoking.

What Parents Need to Know

About Grey Gardens

Families Can Talk About