 | 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. |
Reviving Ophelia
- Review Date: October 9, 2010
- NR
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Teen dating violence makes this a watch-together movie.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this television movie, which is geared towards teens as well as adults, centers on the abusive relationship between a teenage girl and her boyfriend. While its content is highly dramatic, the movie serves to increase awareness of dating violence among teens. It contains scenes of a young woman getting grabbed and slapped, resulting in facial bruises and a bloody nose. It also contains some strong sexual innuendo, plus clear references to specific sexual acts. Words like "piss," "crap," "douche," and "slut" are occasionally used.
What's the story?
REVIVING OPHELIA chronicles the lives of two teenagers learning how to cope with issues like violence, sex, and self-esteem. The series stars Rebecca Williams and Carleigh Beverly as Elizabeth and Kelli, two teenage cousins who have grown up sharing everything. When the straight-laced Elizabeth begins a relationship with Mark (Nick Thurston), Kelli begins to suspect that the relationship is becoming abusive. Unfortunately, thanks to Kelli’s rebellious nature, neither her mom Le Ann (Kim Dickens) nor her aunt Marie (Jane Kaczmarek) believe her. Throughout it all, Kelli must also work through her own growing pains, and figure out the kind of person she wants to be.
Is it any good?
The movie is inspired by a chapter of psychologist Mary Pipher’s best-selling book, Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. It uses the story of teen abuse to highlight some of the book’s assertions, including the theory that young women make sense of who they are based on the cultural expectations placed on them. It also attempts to address how young women attempt to reject these expectations.
While Pipher’s message is sometimes diluted by the show’s dramatic plotlines, it succeeds at showing how young women can find themselves in abusive relationships, and how hard it is to break away from them. It also identifies some of the common misconceptions women in abusive relationships have about their role in the abuse. Parents may want to watch this one with their teens, and use it as a way to begin a dialogue with them about some of these issues.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about teenagers, sex, and violence. What kind of pressures do teens face when it comes to making choices about sex? What about tolerating violence? Why are these issues related to a teenager's self-esteem?
How does the media contribute to the way teens think about the issues of sex and violence? Parents can check here for information and advice about talking to your kids about some of these topics.
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| Studio: | A&E Home Video |
| Cast: | Jane Kaczmarek, Kim Dickens, Rebecca Williams |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 92 minutes |
| DVD release date: | June 28, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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