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Little Ashes

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Sensual, mature tale of young artists in 1920s Spain.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Central characters struggle for artistic, social, and sexual freedom in a rigid society. In the case of Federico Garcia Lorca, ideals and human values are sacred, and for this he pays the ultimate price. Homosexuals are treated with disgust and violence in some instances; with compassion and understanding in others. Friendship and loyalty are recognized as qualities to be treasured.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    During a tense sequence, a firing squad shoots three men. One scene shows a young homosexual man being severely beaten. Newsreel war footage includes images of dead bodies on the ground. The most disturbing image is a close-up depicting the slicing of a human eye. There's a bare knuckle fight with no serious injuries.

  • Sex:

    Scenes include male frontal nudity, many images of bare breasts and buttocks, passionate heterosexual and homosexual lovemaking, intercourse, masturbation, and a short simulated sex scene between puppets.

  • Language:

    Includes several forms of "f--k," as well as "piss," "s--t," "bastard," and "faggot."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Cigarette smoking is seen continuously, which is accurate for the 1920s setting. Many scenes with young people drinking alcohol, including some excessive drinking and drunkenness.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Little Ashes

Parents need to know that even though this drama stars Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson, it's a mature film for mature audiences. It deals with sexual exploration and suppressed homosexual behavior in a restrictive society, and scenes depict intercourse, homosexual awakening, full nudity, bare breasts, and masturbation. There's also strong language (including "f--k" and "s--t"), references to bodily functions, and sexual slurs directed at homosexuals. Several violent scenes show death by firing squad, the beating of a gay man, authentic wartime footage with dead bodies, and a graphic, close-up shot of an eye being sliced.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the movie's messages. Is it making specific statements about art and sexuality? What techniques do the filmmakers use to emphasize the sensuality of the story? How does Robert Pattinson's role in this movie compare to his better-known role in Twilight? Families can also discuss how the politics of 1920s Spain affected Dali and Lorca's lives. Why was the government so afraid of Lorca? What factors made Dali reject him? Can you think of incidents in today's world in which artists are willing to speak out?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    jacob0929
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    real bad

    real bad

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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