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The Shipping News (PG-13, 2001)

common sense media says

Not really meant for kids and teens.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has some mature material, including references to homosexuality, adultery, rape, and incest. Petal is selfish. cruel, and promiscuous. There are images of dead bodies, one separated from the head. Characters drink and smoke. When some characters get drunk, they destroy property and one embarrasses himself by behaving badly to someone he cares about.

Violence: Some scary moments, dead bodies (one headless). Rape.
Sex: Sexual references, including incest and adultery.
Language: Brief strong language.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Character gets drunk.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Shipping News

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why some families seem to be trapped by their history. Why was kindness so hard to come by in Quoyle's family? Why did Tert become so angry at Quoyle? Who in the movie finds it hard to talk about feelings? Why? What made Quoyle begin to think that he could change things for himself and Bunny? How did the lesson about headlines make Quoyle think differently? What would be your headline today? Quoyle learns that every boat has a story. Is that true about cars? Houses? Families? Anything else? What does water symbolize in the movie? The weather? Where is the beating heart at the center of your story?

What's the story?

What's the story?
THE SHIPPING NEWS centers around Quoyle (Kevin Spacey), a huge, almost-silent lump of a man who married the first woman who spoke to him, a selfish good-time girl named Petal (Cate Blanchett). She ignores him and their daughter, Bunny. She spends most of her time out drinking, and when she comes home she brings men back with her. But Bunny and Quoyle love her, and keep hoping that she will love them back. When Petal is killed in a car accident, Quoyle goes to Newfoundland to stay with his aunt Agnis (Judi Dench). In that cold, desolate place, he learns enough about his past and himself to begin to heal.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Annie Proulx presented a real challenge to filmmakers. Its dense descriptions of crafts and weather do not translate to the screen. The real action in the story goes on inside the undemonstrative Quoyle, and only an actor of extraordinary range and power could communicate that to a movie audience.

Screenwriter Robert Nelson Jacobs and director Lasse Hallstrom have done a masterful job of adapting the story, with cinematic equivalents for some of the book's best prose. Kevin Spacey, one of the most brilliant actors ever to appear in movies, provides Quoyle with emotional eloquence, even when he does not speak. Every performance is jewel-like, including Judi Dench as Agniss, Cate Blanchett as Petal, Julianne Moore as Wavey (Proulx is a little cutesy with names), Bunny's teacher who befriends Quoyle, Scott Glenn as Quoyle's boss, and, incredibly, triplets who together play the part of Bunny.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Miramax
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Julianne Moore, Kevin Spacey
Genre: Drama
Run time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release: December 25, 2001
DVD release: June 18, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some language, sexuality and disturbing images
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Public John Q
parent of 4 year old
17
 
Never even saw the movie but was disturbed it was too WHITE? I hope the melting pot isn't finished, but there are ominous signs our day is done. I guess the ACLU didn't review it before its release. God bless The Land of the Free and Home of the Brave, or what is left of it. Forgive me for being white. A real COMMON SENSE review, teaching kids to form an opinion bases SOLELY ON RACE and not content. Sad, this site is SAD!
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