 | 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. |
Of Mice and Men
- Review Date: August 31, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 1992
Common Sense Media says
Elegant adaptation of Steinbeck's classic novel.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that kids will see some fist-fighting; a man shooting his beloved old dog, putting it out of its misery; and, in the end, George shoot his beloved companion Lennie in order to spare him a cruel death at the hands of an angry mob. One character directs a racial slur at a farm hand.
What's the story?
Gary Sinese and John Malkovich star in this adaptation of John Steinbeck's Depression-era classic. Migrant farm workers George (Gary Sinese) and Lennie (John Malkovich) travel together, hoping that one day, when they've got enough money saved up, they'll buy a little place of their own and live off the fat of the land, and Lennie will get to tend the rabbits. Lennie likes soft things: rabbits, mice, puppies. He's a simpleton, a big powerful child, and soft things excite him. That excitement usually leads to trouble, and that trouble keeps them moving. George and Lennie flee to another in a series of ranches, where trouble is quick to present itself. First, there's the boss's son, Curley (Casey Siemaszko), a little guy who hates big guys. But then there's also Curley's wife (Sherilyn Fenn), a lonely girl looking for attention. When Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, the two friends' dream crumbles, and George is forced into a devastating decision.
Is it any good?
OF MICE AND MEN is a modest, sincere adaptation of John Steinbeck's Depression-era classic, a must-see for both teens and parents. Bringing John Steinbeck's heartrending short novel to the screen is a difficult task, in large part because of the often parodied character of Lennie (think of the lumbering Warner Bros. cartoon dog who called everyone George and had a special fondness for Bugs -- "I will love him and I will pet him...").
As caricature has a tendency to overshadow character, John Malkovich's performance may be a bit jarring. His Lennie isn't a comical simpleton, or a mere child in a grown man's body. There are layers of complexity to him, and yearning, not just to tend the rabbits, but to be good, to please his friend. It's a difficult role, and Malkovich foregoes sentiment to make it both tragic and very real. The onscreen chemistry between the stars, Sinese's surefooted directing, and a faithful-to-the-novel script by Horton Foote are all factors which contribute to Of Mice and Men's success.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether the movie was true to the book, where it differed, and why.
Do movies usually do justice to books? Which do you usually prefer?
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AGE
I almost cried!
of mice and men is a great movie about two guys: george milton and lennie small during the times of the great depression, California.
lennie is developmentally disabled and verry strong, the combination wil alwais get them into trouble because he like's to pet soft things (to death).
george milton is the smartest of the two and the smallest.
the two togetter make some great caracters, with some great acting by john malkovich you would almost think that he is developmentally disabled.
so it is devenatly a movie to watch!
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AGE
A timless Steinbeck classic.
Yes, I have read the book. The book was brilliant and the movie stayed true to the book. The acting was outstanding by two brilliant actors and the script fantastic. (Very true to the book) Easily one of my favourite films and books.
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Kid, 1 year old
April 3, 2012
AGE
I am 12 and what is
I am 12 and what is this.
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AGE
I watched this movie after the book in English class
I really watched the movie after reading the book for English class. I had a lot of fun eating popcorn and drinking soda.
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| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Gary Sinise |
| Cast: | Alexis Arquette, Gary Sinise, John Malkovich |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 2, 1992 |
| DVD release date: | March 4, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some scenes of violence |
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