 | 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. |
Out of Africa
- Review Date: April 24, 2010
- PG
- Genre: Drama
- 1986
Common Sense Media says
Enthralling epic about 1900s Africa tackles mature subjects.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this engrossing period drama based on the biography of Danish baroness and her life in 1900s Africa offers lots of historical interest and sweeping romance, but tweens and younger may have trouble keeping interested through this long film. There’s no swearing and nudity, though the film certainly treads on mature subjects. There’s a marriage of convenience, and one character catches syphilis from her philandering husband, which renders her infertile but doesn’t destroy her. Some scenes depict animals being whipped; discussions about war hover over a section of the film; and there are a number of deaths to illness and accidents.
What's the story?
This epic drama charts the journey of an affluent, worldly-but-somewhat-naive young woman, Karen “Isak” Dinesen (Meryl Streep), from her marriage to the aristocratic Baron Blixen (Klaus Maria Brandauer), a friend and sometime-lover who commits to her mainly for money, to her evolution as an strong plantation owner, avid storyteller, and survivor, set against 1900s colonial Kenya. Her marital arrangement leaves her feeling abandoned and unappreciated; she’d hoped to at least develop a deep friendship -- even love -- with her often-absent and unfaithful husband, but it doesn’t appear to be. But she finds solace in Denys Finch-Hatton (Robert Redford), an adventurer who teaches her much about independence, love, and Africa, and, in the end, remembering.
Is it any good?
OUT OF AFRICA is Meryl Streep at her iconic best, armed with a flawless accent and a deep understanding of her character. Her Karen Blixen follows a formidable, and believable, arc, one accompanied by such impressive companions as Redford, so comfortable in his gallant and handsome skin here, and Brandauer. The story is sprawling and compelling and so is Karen's metamorphosis: how she grows as a person; how she can’t make an uninterested husband love her; how she falls for a fiercely independent hunter who appreciates her but doesn’t want to be caged. (There’s one scene where he lovingly washes her hair and quotes poetry -- who can resist?)
John Barry’s compositions for the soundtrack heighten the film’s transporting quality; it places you in an altogether different, and romantic, time and place. Under the gentle hands of director Sydney Pollack, the landscape becomes a character, too. It enthralls the audience, the same way it once enthralled the baroness herself. As does the movie, which reaped handfuls of Academy Awards.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the baroness’ marriage: Why did she enter such an agreement? Why did she put up with it? What about her relationship with Denys?
What drew her to Africa? What kept her there?
What do you think about the political and social structure at that time? Was it right for them to have enslaved the locals?
How many historical movies can you think of where a woman is such a strong, independent character? Do you think these character traits were rare before women joined men in the workplace, for example, or even got the vote, or do you think they were just rarely depicted?
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AGE
A 5 Star film
A fantasic film that you and your child will enjoy.You will laugh cry and explore the sights and sounds of whats to offer
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AGE
A grand, sweeping epic
The acting is perfect, the picture looks perfect, and the story is perfect.
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AGE
epic drama is very good
this movie is so good but very long
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AGE
tweens depends on maturity
love it its a good family movie to sit and watch together
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AGE
Movie Review
Well developed storyline and characters, great film. Watch this movie if you haven't seen it already. But want it for free? Get it free just by filling out a few surveys on the website below
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| Topics: | book characters, history |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Sydney Pollack |
| Cast: | Klaus Maria Brandauer, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 160 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 26, 1986 |
| DVD release date: | April 27, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
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