Letters to Juliet (PG, 2010)

common sense media says

Super swoony romantic fluff that's fun for tweens.


parents & educators say
  • 56% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this romantic drama is an inoffensive, light and fluffy romance for tweens and teens. There is very little to object to -- just a couple of kisses, witty, flirtatious banter, and some tame references to romance, love, and love-making. Language wise, there's one "s--t" but that's about it, except for British words like "blasted" and "bollocks," as well some grown-ups enjoying a glass of wine or champagne in social situations. The messages center around distinguishing true everlasting love, which the movie claims will never die. The protagonist, a young journalist, is encouraged to take a risk with her career, but it takes a guy (and an elderly lady's long-lost love) to convince her to believe in herself.

Positive messages: There's a sweet, but not altogether reasonable message that first love never dies, no matter how many years have passed. A smart young fact-checker summons her courage to become the journalist she's always wanted to be (though it takes a guy's urging to make this happen).
Positive role models: Sophie trusts in her abilities as a journalist, writes and submits her story, even though there was a risk it wouldn't get published.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex:  A couple of kisses, some flirting and a few tame references to romance and married couples who "make passionate love."
Language: British curses like "blasted," "bollocks," "bleeding," and the like; mild insults such as "idiot," "ass," "jerk," and one "s--t." Plus a couple "oh my God"s as exclamations.
Consumerism: Sophie works at The New Yorker magazine, which is referenced many times throughout the movie. A rental Audi convertible's logo is shown in close-up.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Adults drink wine or champagne at dinners, in vineyards and, at a wedding reception.

More on Letters to Juliet

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the movie's overall message about about first love? Do you think teenagers often feel like their love stories will last the test of time? What's the reality?

  • What is the difference between Sophie's relationship with Victor and her relationship with Charlie? How is one shown as preferential to the other?

  • Sophie says her perfectionism keeps her from finishing her stories. What's different about the "Letters to Juliet" story? What helps Sophie muster up the courage to submit her work? Do you think this movie portrays Sophie as powerful on her own, or dependant on others? Is this typical of romantic movies?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Sophie Hall (Amanda Seyfried) is a hard-working fact-checker at The New Yorker, but she'd rather be one of its writers. She heads off to Verona, Italy for a pre-wedding honeymoon with her fiance Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal), a busy chef who'd rather schmooze around with his about-to-open restaurant's wine, cheese, and olive oil suppliers than sight-see with his future wife. Having agreed to do their own thing, Sophie wanders into the touristy house of Shakespeare's Juliet, where she sees lovesick women of all ages writing letters and sticking them into a stone wall. She discovers that a quartet of Italian women dubbed "Secretaries of Juliet" answer every letter placed on the wall, and while helping them gather letters, she discovers a very old one written by a British woman named Claire (Vanessa Redgrave). Sophie writes a heartfelt response and a few days later, Claire and her skeptical grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan) arrive in Verona to embark on a journey to find her long-lost love Lorenzo. Tagging along, Sophie develops a love-hate chemistry with Charlie, while they continue to search for Claire's Lorenzo.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

With lesser actors, this fairy-tale romance would be borderline unwatchable. It's ridiculously cheesy and predictable -- from the moment Charlie (played by the compelling English actor who starred in the short-lived, high-concept drama Kings) enters the Secretaries of Juliet office, it's obvious he and Sophie will do what every cinematic couple who meets-cute does -- fall head over heels for each other. The movie manages to make Garcia Bernal, usually one of the most charismatic and appealing actors, look like he's more of a best friend than a fiance, and it's difficult to buy. There's nothing particularly magnetic about Charlie and Sophie's attraction, and in fact, the most spark in the story is between Claire and Lorenzo, which is understandable, considering the actor, Franco Nero, who's Redgrave's real-life husband.

Seyfried's considerable charm, coupled with Redgrave, and the Romeo & Juliet theme save this otherwise underwhelming romantic comedy from the waste bin. The irresistible Italian locations are more alluring than the storyline, and when the Italian soundtrack kicks in, the movie starts to seem like an extended travel show. There really is a group of 15 women who reply to the lovelorn letters to Juliet, and it wouldn't be surprising if there's an upsurge in letters and heartsick visitors to Verona. This is definitely not the love story of the ages, but it's sugary sweet, and just the kind of predictable fluff young girls will appreciate.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Director: Gary Winick
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Christopher Egan, Gael Garcia Bernal, Vanessa Redgrave
Genre: Romance
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: May 14, 2010
DVD release: September 14, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: brief rude behavior, some language and incidental smoking
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 18 parent & educator reviews:
  • 56% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

horselover11
kid, 12 years old
 
Letters to juliet review
I think that this movie should be watched with parents if kids are under the age of 11 but over all a very good movie the kissing is not so bad but you mite want to cover your kids eyes if you don't allow them to see people kissing. but over a very good move. :) please comment on my review please please (:

 
Typical Romance comedy with a little twist. Probably ok for most your teens. Also good date night movie. Good chunk of fill takes place in italy so there is drinking at every meal in the movie. And there is a building attraction between 2 of the characters thru the movie.

kielaahss
kid, 11 years old
 
sweet story
some kids 10+ might like some might not

Glittery Sparkles
teen, 14 years old
 
Really Great
Funny my friends and I saw it together and really thought it was great! Though younger kids like 10 might think it's cheesy. ;)

Gopherit
teen, 14 years old
 
I liked it
This is a chick-flick let me tell you that, haha. But anyways, it's a great movie that a friend and I loved to watch! It has some history such as about Juliet and all of that great stuff, but it also has a few humorous parts. It's also a little predictable, but oh well! I say it's better to watch with a friend than be a lone because if you're like me you like to point out random things like "OH SHE'S GONNA KISS HIM OR OH, SHE'S GOING TO CRY!"

dancing girl
kid, 12 years old
 
It was a pretty boring movie. A romantic movie so boys will obviously not be interested in this and some girls will be. It's just kind of boring even if the old woman finds her true love, SO WHAT! Overall its a disappointing movie that is not a must-see movie.

cyndifug8
parent of 10 and 12 year old
 
Sweet Movie - Perfect Chick Flick
Very sweet and nice movie. It was nice to be able to watch a film that had nothing offensive in it!

iheartbrazil
kid, 13 years old
 
AMAZING
This is a really great movie. I was really surprised, because im not the mushy type. It was so sweet, and the casting was perfect. The song Love Story at the end was perfect.

EasterSweetie
kid, 11 years old
 
Great For Tweens...
It was a great movie!

Shawdy1050
teen, 14 years old
 
Sweet story about love. Sophie goes to italy finds a letter writes back meets charlie they take claire to find her lost Lorenzo very predictable but very sweet

Sosie98
teen, 14 years old
 
Great movie with a sweet ending
I went to see this movie with my friends and we all loved it. It was very romantic and sweet to see her finally brake up with guy she really started to hate and fall in love with the British guy. It was very predictable, but I really liked this movie.

stripesanddots
teen, 15 years old
 
Love this movie!
This is one of my favorite movies! It's really good. Amanda Seyfried did a fabulous job. I definetly reccomend it to anyone who love romances.

Cate W
kid, 11 years old
 
Letters to Juliet-great movie
i think that this is an altogether awesome movie. this movie is kind of like a chick-flick, but a little bit more about history. i have to admit, it is kind of predictable, but i still thought that the main character was going to remain boyfriendless, but in the end turned out to be the happiest girl in the word. i'm glad that i saw that movie because when i grow up, i want to either be a journalist or a writer, and a lot of this movie is focused on writing. great for anybody that likes romantic movies (mostly girls!!!) :) ~cate

THE MOVIE MAN
teen, 17 years old
 
Movie Man on Letters to Juliet
This is a good mother-daughter film. The only problem is the content. There is little kissing but what is most bothersome for your child to see is them saying "making love" to many times. They say it to many times to put it in a PG movie, that is why it should not be seen by anybody younger then eleven.

ljays22
parent of 10 year old
 
Great movie - a funny, touching romance story
I was concerned the romance would be too strong for my almost 10 year old daughter (4th grade) - but not at all! Vanessa Redgrave is fabulous and plays a role that sends a positive & touching message. The language was not offensive (the one s-word went by so fast and with a British accent - my daughter didn't even catch it) so the only thing I found remotely age-inappropriate was when an elderly gentlemen flipped the finger. The movie was funny, touching and very well done - made my eyes misty more than once. Go see it - take your daughters - I think 4th grade and up will enjoy it a lot!

ALGLTG09
kid, 13 years old
 
Great!
I loved this movie, very nice!

bromo_734
teen, 15 years old
 
A GREAT chick flick!
LOVE THIS MOVIE!! this movie is the perfect movie for any girl who loves chick flicks. its very corney, and at the end my friend and i were laughing at how corney it is! its a feel good movie great for all teen girls

EmmaLu
teen, 15 years old
 
I LOVE this movie! It is great for tween/teen girls!

 
A delight to watch. simply.
wow man i can't believe this with absolute 0 expectations i saw this movie and i rated it NOT INTERESTED too .... but now i feel like like its one of the best romantic movies of all time. wow great isn't it? its not cliche at all, a very new kind of a story, great chemistry between Amanda Seyfried and Chris Egan. acting was decent. Gael Garcia, Vanessa Redgrave they were good too. we seriously need more of these kind of movies man. lately i don't remember any movie that satisfied my need of a good time, there must used to be something wrong with them but this one i was watching without getting bored or annoyed and going here and there and then coming to watch until it gets finish and then write a review and Thank God for it .... lolx. i seriously did not wanted this movie to finish and when it did i wanted some more, i wanted it to never finish that is like really crazy thing but it did happened. loved it alot. an absolute charming and adorable movie. The message of romantic love being timeless and one that can cross many generations was very well appreciated and felt. The scenery of Italy in the film is gorgeous. There are breathtaking shots that make you want to hop on a plane after the film is over and go there yourself. such a beautiful place it is. The major weight of carrying the film rested squarely on the shoulders of Amanda Seyfried. Other than being very lovely shoulders, she did an excellent job of portraying her character. She has a great range of endearing expressions. I've seen her in a couple of other films that I enjoyed her in, but none better than this; even considering the broader production values of "Mama Mia". She was radiantly beautiful and added just the right note of intelligence, warmth and charm. In one scene where her character described her excellent education, it didn't seem ludicrous coming from her as it has in the past from other actors. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her - and not just because of her radiant beauty either. While it's certainly not a masterpiece, I praise it for being able to go way past the average "rom com" or "tearjerker" and just be a simply pleasing experience with very fun scenes and a great sense of romance and happiness that I was touched by. It was a job well done, and a breath of fresh air from a lot of trash heaps that are passed off as Romance films nowadays. I suggest anyone who can enjoy this light-hearted, fun and delightful adventure see it right away! i loved it and now i am recommending everyone to see this movie.

DaddyFlip
parent of 15 year old
 
Not much of a movie, but my daughter liked it
There's really nothing to say film-wise here. Perfect time killer for a tween girl, but nothing else. I did enjoy seeing Lynn Redgrave again.

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