 | 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. |
Mermaids
- Review Date: September 25, 2007
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 1990
Common Sense Media says
Moving, but teen sex content meant for discussion.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that though this movie is set in 1963, there's some teen and parent sex going on here. Teenage Charlotte has unprotected sex. Mrs. Flax has sex with her boyfriend on the first date and later kisses the boy she knows Charlotte has a crush on. This movie also deals with death and estrangement; Charlotte's father abandoned her and she's always seeking him. Kate is seriously injured and nearly dies. Both Charlotte and Kate get drunk while their mom is out.
What's the story?
In the enchanting and complex coming-of-age story MERMAIDS, Charlotte Flax (a href=" http://www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews/Winona-Ryder/">Winona Ryder), the nun-obsessed daughter of a Jewish mother. Mrs. Flax (Cher) is gutsy, creative, and enchanting -- and when things go poorly with her paramour, she skips town, preferring to start a new life in a new town. That's how the family ends up in Massachusetts, where Charlotte meets Joe (Michael Schoeffling), the resident of a convent. While she decides what to do about Joe, she copes with feelings about her absent father and spars with her strong-willed, promiscuous mom. Missteps and teen-sized mistakes ensue.
Is it any good?
Not only is Ryder's powerhouse performance spot-on and moving --when she cries at the end of the film, the viewer is likely to, too. Mermaids isn't the one-note sex comedy of American Pie or the inspirational drama of Gracie. It's a film that turns the most painful years of many people's lives into entertainment -- realistic, sympathetic entertainment.
Charlotte has an inner monologue that's completely different from the one she shares with the world. In her head, she's thinking, "I kissed a boy and I think I might be pregnant." But when Mrs. Flax begs her to talk, all she can do is shrug and roll her eyes. What parents and teens won't be able to relate to this? Add on the fabulous performances of Bob Hoskins and Christina Ricci and you have an adorable and moving coming-of-age movie that's likely to be as prescient today.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about their attitudes on sex, birth control, promiscuity -- the works. Do teen and parent values match? They can also talk about Charlotte's absent father. How does this affect her life and relationships with boys?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Teen, 17 years old
March 11, 2012
AGE
Underrated
I first heard about this movie when it showed up in my friend's recommendations on Netflix. I was intrigued because it has Cher in it and it's called "Mermaids" (I'm a really big fan of Cher and mythology) so I watched it. I just want everybody to know, for the record, that the use of the word "Mermaids" in the title is a metaphor; there aren't any actual mermaids in the film. I really enjoyed this film. There are some very funny lines in it, mostly said by Cher's character Mrs. Flax. Each of the characters is interesting and unique in their own way. It feels like a book, probably because it's based on one. Another thing I liked about it was Mrs. Flax and her boyfriend don't get married in the end, which is a ridiculously overused movie cliche. I'm surprised that this movie isn't more popular, because it has a good message and is compelling. There is a LOT of sex in this, though. Not so much sex scenes as talk of sex. Mrs. Flax is very promiscuous and talks a lot about sex and her past sexual experiences. There is a scene in which Winona Ryder's character Charlotte has sex in a bell tower partially clothed. I kind of felt that the women in this movie were either tramps or repressed virgins, and that was a little annoying. Overall, very good movie. I recommend it.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Parent of 13 year old
January 24, 2013
AGE
good movie just not for kids.
its a very good movie uh well maybe for tweens and teens because i don't think kids will understand this movie. all in all its a great movie but like i said kids might not understand it. but if your a tween or a teen than its alright to watch.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Richard Benjamin |
| Cast: | Cher, Christina Ricci, Winona Ryder |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 25, 1990 |
| DVD release date: | February 6, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
