Remember Me (PG-13, 2010)

common sense media says

Dark, disturbing romance not for Twilight's preteen fans.


parents & educators say
  • 58% say sexual content is an issue
  • 50% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this coming-of-age drama starring Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson is not your typical teen romance. While it includes young love -- the two main characters are 21 -- the movie focuses much more on sensitive issues such as dealing with grief, coping with losing loved ones to violence and suicide, managing complicated parent-child issues, and, yes, falling hopelessly in love. Realistic violence (as opposed to the supernatural kind depicted in Twilight) is disturbingly persistent throughout the story, beginning with a cold-blooded robbery and murder and finishing with an act of violence that affects everyone in the movie. The language is stronger than usual for a PG-13 movie, with more than one "f--k," and many, many uses of "s--t" and "asshole," "bitch," "Goddamn," and the like. Pattinson and co-star Emilie de Ravin share several love scenes, but the camera focuses mostly on their faces and bare backs (no R-rated nudity). There's a lot of drinking and cigarette smoking. On a positive note, the movie explores the importance of repairing damaged relationships and allowing yourself to heal from loss.

Positive messages: Although the overall message is about love and forgiveness, the majority of the movie is spent chronicling Tyler's self-destructive behavior and the emotionally distant or borderline abusive relationships between grieving fathers and children.
Positive role models: Tyler is a loving, selfless older brother, putting his little sister's needs above all else. He loves her so much, he's willing to defend her, to try and force their father to acknowledge and support her. However, he also starts off his relationship with Ally on false pretenses and doesn't tell her truth for a long time. Ally is forgiving, even when the men in her life hurt her deeply.
Violence: The movie starts off with a shocking murder -- a mother is shot by young muggers right in front of her 11-year-old daughter -- and violence continues throughout the movie. There are several fist fights that leave characters bloody -- in one instance a man nearly strangles another to death. A father strikes his daughter. A woman slaps a man across the face. A man pushes a schoolgirl's desk and throws a fire extinguisher through a school window, frightening all the students and the teacher in a class. A young man's suicide isn't shown, but it's frequently alluded to and explicity described. A young girl's hair is horrifyingly cut off by spiteful girls at a slumber party. An unforeseen and seriously traumatic event leaves all of the characters grieving and broken.
Sex: There are several love scenes that show the main couple kissing passionately, breathing heavily, moaning, and obviously making love. A couple of the scenes show a lot of skin (bare backs, legs, shoulder, and arms tangling in sheets) or Ally in a bra, but there's no actual nudity, and the emphasis is on the couple's faces. In addition to the sex scenes, Tyler's roommate discusses sex and relationships on a regular basis. He makes jokes about Tyler having a way with ladies and his own accomplishment of having "bagged" a girl from every continent. Ally's father accuses wealthy Tyler of slumming it with middle-class Ally ("having a little vacation in coach before heading back to first class").
Language: For a PG-13 film, there is a surprising amount of strong language: more than one "f--k," plus frequent "asshole," "pr--k," "s--t," and "Goddamn," and the occasional "p--y," "jerk," "damn," "bastard," and "bitch."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Tyler smokes cigarettes in nearly every scene, and it's an ongoing reference in the movie (everyone comments on it). College students drink at a bar, at parties, restaurants, and at home. One night Ally drinks so much she gets sick in front of Tyler and basically passes out on his bed. It's implied that Ally's father could be an alcoholic.

More on Remember Me

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the theme of violence in the movie. How does violence affect each of the characters?

  • Is it difficult to see Pattinson as someone other than Edward? Who has been most successful in staying believable in roles outside the Twilight universe -- Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, or Tyler Lautner?

  • How did you feel about the twist ending? Was it shocking, or did you think it's still too soon to incorporate into a movie?

  • Both Tyler and Ally have problems with their fathers. Who has the stronger relationship? Is what he does forgivable? How do the two fathers react to grief differently?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Tyler (Robert Pattinson) is nearly 22, but he has no idea what he wants to do with his life. He audits classes at New York University, works part-time at a bookstore, regards his successful father (Pierce Brosnan) with contempt, and spends time nearly every day grieving his brother's suicide by writing letters to him in a leather-bound journal. After Tyler intercedes in a nasty street fight by pummeling the guys responsible, he ends up mouthing off to an NYPD detective (Chris Cooper), who roughs him up and arrests him. Tyler's superficial roommate Aidan (Tate Ellington) realizes the offending officer's daughter Ally (Emilie de Ravin) goes to NYU with them, and convinces him to attempt to seduce her as karmic payback for the beat-down. Instead, Tyler starts to fall for Ally, who like him, still grieves over the violent death of a loved one. As their romantic relationship deepens, both Tyler and Ally deal with their daddy issues and help Tyler's 11-year-old sister Caroline (Ruby Jerins) with her own insecurities. Just when Tyler begins to heal, Ally discovers the truth about his connection with her father, and violence continues to threaten their happily ever after.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Clearly Pattinson has practiced the brooding, downward gazing look of gorgeous young introverts. But as hard as Pattinson tries to sulk and simmer, cigarette in hand, he doesn't have the same edge as say Ryan Gosling or the late Heath Ledger or even his co-star de Ravin (for proof watch her fabulously creepy turn as Claire on Lost's final season). Pattinson isn't quite believable when he's punching a guy into a pulp or menacing a schoolgirl who made fun of his little sister. Of the two parent-child subplots, the de Ravin-Cooper relationship is so much better acted and developed. Brosnan, on the other hand, sports one of the worst Noo-Yawk accents ever captured on film, and as a result is hard to take seriously. The most entertaining supporting player is definitely Ellington as Pattinson's humorously verbose, jerk of a roommate. He is welcome, if at times annoying, comic relief.

This is a confusing film. It's not difficult to understand, but it doesn't gel together as anything deeper than a shockingly gimmicky treatise on violence. It is not, despite what the trailers depict, just a romance, although there are romantic scenes thanks to the attractive leads. REMEMBER ME is more of a self-indulgent rumination on how various forms of violence and grief change people, from the intimate acts of suicide and a daughter's slap in the face to a cold-blooded murder and the collective horror of a terrorist attack. Unfortunately for viewers, director Allen Coulter and screenwriter Will Fetters don't have much of a vision other than building up to the shocking final 10 minutes, which, while gasp-inducing is a manipulative and unnecessary stunt.

 

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Director: Allen Coulter
Cast: Chris Cooper, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan, Robert Pattinson
Genre: Romance
Run time: 128 minutes
Theatrical release: March 12, 2010
DVD release: June 22, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: violence, sexual content, language and smoking
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 12 parent & educator reviews:
  • 58% say sexual content is an issue
  • 50% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 50% say there are positive messages
  • 50% say language is an issue
  • 42% say violence is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

iffahdurrah
teen, 15 years old
 
Its awesome :)
I watched this yesterday and other than the love scenes, everything was great... The last part was sad, though.

isalau
adult
 
Strong performances with the heavy material. Not for young people.

Irish7girl13
teen, 16 years old
 
I really enjoyed this move, it's very much like a romeo and juliet or titanic. The movie is perfectly rated 13 and over unless parents are there. I'm 14 and there is nothing i hadn't seen or heard in it but under 13 this may make you or your child uneasy.

 
remember me is a drama movie that deals with heavy themes and is recommended only for your older teens the movie does have a lot violence there are several sex scenes but no nudity shown there's a lot of strong language used for a PG-13 movie also there's a lot drinking and smoking the movie has a good message though it's about love and forgiveness.

WebCriticGirl76
teen, 18 years old
 
Disappointing
I was disappointed, and heartbroken of course. I was angry and upset by seeing Rob and Emily be able to do that. I don't respect them any more now.

Sadie girl 23
teen, 14 years old
 
The best movie ever
I adore this movie it is the best ever two thumbs up also the main charecter is not hard on the eyes and it is a historcal movie (the twin towers falling with him in it in the end ) :) i love too the moon and back if you argee messages me on my hotmail. i would let my kids watch it if the wore above 10( so they would understand) but with all the language and violence i would have to wait

laynny
teen, 14 years old
 
Not really a twight movie, Because they have mostly happy endings...
lots of covered sex. lots of language. scary parts, and one area of child abuse. a violent gang murder at the beginning, ending with a parent being shot. its all together a violent movie and distaster awaits at the end

melissa courtney
teen, 15 years old
 
i t was great
i love this movie. it was such a good love story!! it was so sad at the ened i cried so much.

TheSuperman765
teen, 16 years old
 
i rate this title IFFY for 13+
The good stuff * Role models: Tyler is a loving, selfless older brother, putting his little sister's needs above all else. He loves her so much, he's willing to defend her, to try and force their father to acknowledge and support her. However, he also starts off his relationship with Ally on false pretenses and doesn't tell her truth for a long time. Ally is forgiving, even when the men in her life hurt her deeply. What to watch out for * Messages: Although the overall message is about love and forgiveness, the majority of the movie is spent chronicling Tyler's self-destructive behavior and the emotionally distant or borderline abusive relationships between grieving fathers and children. * Violence: The movie starts off with a shocking murder -- a mother is shot by young muggers right in front of her 11-year-old daughter -- and violence continues throughout the movie. There are several fist fights that leave characters bloody -- in one instance a man nearly strangles another to death. A father strikes his daughter. A woman slaps a man across the face. A man pushes a schoolgirl's desk and throws a fire extinguisher through a school window, frightening all the students and the teacher in a class. A young man's suicide isn't shown, but it's frequently alluded to and explicity described. A young girl's hair is horrifyingly cut off by spiteful girls at a slumber party. An unforeseen and seriously traumatic event leaves all of the characters grieving and broken. * Sex: There are several love scenes that show the main couple kissing passionately, breathing heavily, moaning, and obviously making love. A couple of the scenes show a lot of skin (bare backs, legs, shoulder, and arms tangling in sheets) or Ally in a bra, but there's no actual nudity, and the emphasis is on the couple's faces. In addition to the sex scenes, Tyler's roommate discusses sex and relationships on a regular basis. He makes jokes about Tyler having a way with ladies and his own accomplishment of having "bagged" a girl from every continent. Ally's father accuses wealthy Tyler of slumming it with middle-class Ally ("having a little vacation in coach before heading back to first class"). * Language: For a PG-13 film, there is a surprising amount of strong language: more than one "f--k," plus frequent "a-shole," "pr--k," "s--t," and "Godd--n," and the occasional "p--y," "jerk," "d--n," "bas-ard," and "bi-ch." * Consumerism: Not an issue. * Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Tyler smokes cigarettes in nearly every scene, and it's an ongoing reference in the movie (everyone comments on it). College students drink at a bar, at parties, restaurants, and at home. One night Ally drinks so much she gets sick in front of Tyler and basically passes out on his bed. It's implied that Ally's father could be an alcoholic.

ateensperspective
teen, 14 years old
 
this movie was amazing!!! nonetheless, kids under 12 should not see it. it is very depressing (but it is also extremely good so everyone old enough to watch it should!). the movie begins with a murder which is depressing, and about 15 minutes into it some one gets into a street fight and almost gets taken to jail. many people get slapped and some one almost chokes another to death. Some one breaks a window with a fire extinguisher and slams a girl's desk. a suicide is talked about. the surprising ending is very sad. there are 2 sex scenes and they are both very clear about what is going on- but no "areas" are shown. Tyler and his room-mate often talk about sex. everyone cusses a lot. tyler is always drinking and smoking. allie gets drunk and barfs. allie's dad's an alcoholic. although he sometimes smokes in front of her, tyler is normally a very caring, loving brother and would do anything to protect his sister.

fishsticks
teen, 15 years old
 
:D
Well the movie actually was pretty good but it was also pretty sad and i would recommend it to people who love Robert Pattinson and it was a good role for him although for kids to watch this they have to be more mature and to know that its only a movie if they are younger.

ZoeyDiana18
teen, 17 years old
 
Best movie ever.
This movie was amazing. It shows kids how much people were affected by 9/11. It wasn't a fantasy movie about love and romance, but about real life. Not every story has a happy ending, and I believe your kids should know that. This ending broke my heart, and my heart goes to all those families who lost family and friends on that tragic day. I love this movie it shows how important family is, and how you shouldn't take it for granted, because one day they might not be there anymore.

Totally500
teen, 15 years old
 
My Review of Remember Me
I hated this movie. Its too vloent and scary. The beginning and the end were sad mix with sad feelings together. Parents this is not the film that your child will see espicially twilight fans too

mardoggie2013
teen, 17 years old
 
Intense for a PG-13
Very sad story. A surprising amount of language and violence, pretty rough movie for only older teens.

tman10009
teen, 15 years old
 
perfect for 13-14and up
it was overall an alright movie, a little sad but interesting.

Marinewife1024
parent of 8 and 10 year old
 
NOT for kids but for older teens and adults this movie is surprisingly GOOD!
There is some violence, sex scenes, language, adult situations dealing with muder, death and suicide. It's a dark movie and something you may want to watch with a box of tissue. Although I don't recommend this movie for kids especially those younger than 15 or 16, this movie was a shockingly amazing movie and I am shocked there isn't more buzz about it. Without giving anything away (because if I tell anything it will ruin the effect the movie intends to have), I want to tell people that they really need to watch this movie because once you get to the end you will no longer be the normally detached movie watcher that we all are. You will (in a split second) find that this movie becomes personal and hits close to home. I promise you, you will not expect where this movie takes you.

facebookruler1219
parent of 13 year old
 
A mothers reveiew on Remember Me
well this movie is a great movie its a little sad and Rob has some anger problems but i loved the movie.My little nine yeaar old girl Jenna loved it also i felt she was a little to young to be waching it.My oldest son Jordan didnt like it at first he new somthing bad always happens in a good movie anyway the movie was very good for twelve years old but not so good for nine years olds.

BlinkAndYoullM ...
teen, 17 years old
 
Beautiful, but intense.
This movie fits the 'intense' bill. I really cannot say anything that hasn't been said above. This movie, I believe, is a beneficial one to watch, but if you watch it too young, it's benefits are gone. The viewer has to be old enough to grasp the positive messages in the movie. A side note- do not watch this movie if you like happy endings. Not a 'feel-good' flick.

BugGirl
kid, 13 years old
 
I'm Surprised!
This movie was really good. It had a sad ending, though. The younger sister reminds me of myself (off topic!). I'm actually really suprised! -I thought this movie was going to be a sappy-drama-boring-movie... Ok, it was sappy, but it was also funny and heartwarming. :)

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