 | 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. |
Restless
- Review Date: September 14, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Story of young, tragic love gets emotional, intense.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this romantic indie drama about young, tragic love may well appeal to teens, though it deals candidly and often sadly with illness and death -- which can make it feel heavy and a bit intense at times. There's some swearing (including "s--t"), war imagery/discussion, and kissing/cuddling. It's implied that the two main characters have sex, though nothing graphic is shown, and their relationship is very sweet overall.
What's the story?
Enoch (Henry Hopper) has two unusual hobbies: Talking to the ghost of a World War II kamikaze pilot, Hiroshi (Ryo Kase), and attending strangers' funerals. It's the way he copes after his parents' sudden deaths. His Aunt Mabel (Jane Adams) is raising him, though Enoch barely spends time with her. At a memorial, he spots Annabel (Mia Wasikowska), a warm-hearted woman who's smitten with Charles Darwin and nature and with whom he's quickly smitten. But he soon learns her story, and it's a distressing one: She's terminally ill and must prepare to die. Can she be ready? Can he?
Is it any good?
Hopper is a guy to watch. The son of celebrated actor Dennis Hopper, he accesses a wellspring of complicated emotions with a tilt of the head, a quirk of the eyebrow. Perhaps he knew he had to up his game with a co-star like Wasikowska, who flings herself into a sometimes overcooked character whose charm is pushed to twee-ness and saves it -- but only just.
Thanks to these two, the emotions behind the movie feel true and relatable. Were it not for a screenplay that's a little too on-the-nose -- Hirsohi's lines, especially -- and the somewhat heavy-handed soundtrack, RESTLESS would be a stronger movie. (Also, the film could have used some grit to ground it in reality.) But alas, it can’t quite rise above its limitations.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the film handles its subject matter. Is it too frank about death? Does it exploit the topic?
In the movie, two young people fall in love despite many challenges and appear to have sex. Does the film portray this experience realistically? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values relating to sex and relationships.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
NOT FUNNY LOTS OF SEX
This was awful! My kids screamed at the kissing scenes and it was ultra depressing! Lots of explicit sex and lips touching. A definite no-no, especially for kids like my Lucas. I am concerned.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
E-nick not e-knock. Also an odd movie
First, let me say that 'Enoch' is NOT pronounced e-knock. It is pronounced e-nick. Anyone who goes to church and/or reads the bible knows this (also, my brothers name is Enoch. There is no other way to pronounce it, really). Second, I think that people should make a movie without feeling thast they have to put sexual behavior in it to make it good. It doesn't make it good, it makes it innapropriate. I did think that they had a nice relationship, but again, it makes me sad. Now, obviously everyone has the right and ability to choose, but if you want your kids to watch it, PLEASE watch it first. You make the decsision.
(Please excuse the bad spelling, I'm sorry)
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Sony Pictures Classics |
| Director: | Gus Van Sant |
| Cast: | Henry Hopper, Mia Wasikowska, Ryo Kase |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 91 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 16, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | January 24, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic elements and brief sensuality |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
