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RocknRolla (R, 2008)

common sense media says

Stylish, edgy British crime caper for grown-ups.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this fast-paced crime film depicts a constant stream of convivial criminality and bad behavior, including stealing, shooting, extortion, bribery, money laundering, gambling, drug and alcohol use, and more. As bloody and painful as some of it gets, director Guy Ritchie and his cast make it all look like great fun, too -- which makes for a great caper film but doesn't exactly convey any lessons above and beyond the code of the streets. Expect non-stop swearing and smoking, as well as frank depictions of drug use, violence, and more.

Positive messages: Extensive discussion of criminal activities like robbery, extortion, bribery, tax evasion, informing for the police, gambling, and drug use. Characters express some anti-immigrant sentiments. Discussion of the difference between British and European criminals.
Violence: Beatings, shootings, stabbings, car crashes, drowning, and threats of torture. Golf clubs, baseball bats, baseballs, pencils, and more are used as weapons, with visible blood and gore. Also fistfights, scuffling, torture, pepper spray used as a weapon, and the threat of being devoured by crayfish.
Sex: Some male nudity (buttocks). Quick-cut sex scenes. Women appear clad in underwear. Discussions of homosexuality; references to masturbation, oral sex, and hiring "escorts" sexual gestures.
Language: Pervasive strong English-accented language, including "f--k," "motherf---er," "damn," "s--t," "c--k," "bastard," and "wanker." Also derogatory sexual slang like "fag," "poof," "homo," "fairy," and more.
Consumerism: Some brands visible or discussed, including Range Rover and Johnnie Walker Black Label. Clips from Howards End are seen.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters drink wine, champagne, beer, and hard liquor; cigars and cigarettes are smoked nearly constantly; extensive discussion and depiction of hard drug use, including crack, cocaine, and more. The dire ramifications and long-term effects of hard drug use are shown, with "junkie" characters living in squalor and enduring seizures and vomiting.
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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the appeal of crime cinema, particularly stylized crime comedies like this one. Can you successfully mix laughs with a body count? Can a movie with murder in it be taken as lightly as this one would like to be? Families can also discuss the negative consequences of drug addiction, as depicted in this film with startling frankness. How realistic do you think the portrayal is?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In present-day London, a group of low-level criminals known as "The Wild Bunch" is in debt to Lenny (Tom Wilkinson), the king of London's underground -- who's also trying to serve as the go-between as a Russian crime lord tries to get government approval for a new building project. At the same time, the Russian's beautiful accountant is setting him up to be robbed by The Wild Bunch, and Lenny's degenerate, drug-addicted rock star stepson has faked his own death to both get away from it all and boost his record sales.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
ROCKNROLLA marks a return to form for writer-director Guy Ritchie, who burst onto the scene with the stylish, Tarantino-influenced crime films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. But recent years have seen Ritchie mentioned more for his marriage to Madonna than his films, so RocknRolla's mix of crime and comedy is a welcome reminder of what he can do when he does what he does best. Shot on digital video, RocknRolla has a loose, fun feel to it -- thanks in no small part to Gerard Butler's charming work as lead gangster "One-Two" and Mark Strong's work as classy crook Archie.

Other standouts in the cast include Toby Kebell, who plays burnt-out rock musician/junkie Johnny Quid; Kebell conveys the desperation, elation, squalor, and sleaze of serious crack addiction in a way that makes his bit part the soul of the film. Ritchie has a real flair for cartoon violence -- a robbery-fight-chase scene plays out as blood-soaked hilarity -- which means that RocknRolla is a higher grade of high-gloss caper-crime-comedy film. Ritchie has suggested that there'll be a series of films with these characters, and while it's hard to imagine anyone crying out for that as a matter of necessity after seeing RocknRolla, at least this film is a fun ride while you're watching it.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton, Tom Wilkinson
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 114 minutes
Theatrical release: October 10, 2008
DVD release: January 27, 2009
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: pervasive language, violence, drug use and brief sexuality.
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This review was written by James Rocchi
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Yeah.
teen, 14 years old
15
 
Check my page for other recommendations.
I'm not here to give a review because if it shows up on my page its a 5 star movie and so therefore you know what i think about it.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
Fahima Saeed
teen, 16 years old
15
 
Definitely not for kids
I saw the censored version just for Jeremy Piven, and it was a really cool movie. The whole plot secretly revolving around the painting, wow. Fantastic!
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
courtie
adult
16
 
Hilarious
I absolutley loved it; fast-paced, gritty-comedy. Totally worth seeing.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
safetymom856
parent of 3 , 3 , and 5 , 8 , 10 , 16 year old
2
 
Perfect for everyone!
I LOVE it! Positive, and can show kids what they will be doing when they grow up. Boys will change their minds about what they want to be. They will love this!
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
eastside01
teen, 17 years old
13
 
Rocknrolla is for mature teens.
Rocknrolla is Guy Ritchies Best film yet and will leave you in awe of his talent to create these characters who are edgy and cool. see it.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
Scream
kid, 12 years old
17
 
Complicated, action drama for adults only.
The reason it's not for kids is more than just not suitable content for that age, it also depends on how complicated the movie is, and on its setting and theme. This movie was set in UK, Europe, was an action film, and was very complicated and hard to understand. That's why it's not for kids- not counting it's content. It's content, on the other hand, is contaminated with strong violence and abrupt profanity, and smoking and drinking throughout. I hope my review changes your mind about this film, either now wanting to view it or vise- versa.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

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