Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Scattered drama about faith and poverty is intense.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Sympathy for Delicious
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
After an accident sentences him to life in a wheelchair, formerly successful DJ Dean "Delicious D" O'Dwyer (Christopher Thornton) is living in his car on Los Angeles' Skid Row and mourning his old life. Enraged, frustrated, and yearning for escape, he gets a taste of opportunity when bassist Ariel (Juliette Lewis) invites him to try out for her band, which is fronted by a tempestuous rocker known as The Stain (Orlando Bloom). But things get complicated when D discovers that his hands have a talent for something other than turntabling: He apparently has the ability to heal. Idealistic priest Joe Roselli (Mark Ruffalo) thinks D is the answer to Skid Row's misery, but D's not that sure Father Roselli -- and everyone else, for that matter -- is actually as altruistic as he seems.
Is It Any Good?
Ruffalo's directorial debut is admirable in the sense that it confidently strides on screen. It's no wimp, that's for sure, and for that, you can be grateful. And Thornton, who also wrote the script, is fantastic as the ambivalent, angry D, wanting to have faith but not having any.
But to be frank, SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS is a rambling mess, mixing the absurd with the earnest in a way that's discomfiting rather than mind-blowing or remarkable. Watching a Skid Row DJ make it big and heal the sick with a less-than-selfless approach feels like gawking -- you're at a remove and are wondering whether what you're seeing is for real. Great performances aside (including Laura Linney as a vulture-like band manager), the movie borders on pretension -- a pity, given its interesting premise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's messages. Would you consider it a religious and/or spiritual film? Why or why not? What is the film's perspective on religion?
Does this movie do justice to its difficult subject matter (i.e. the moral challenges a priest faces when needing to raise funds for his mission)? Who do you think it's intended to reach?
What is the movie saying about being selfish vs. selfless? Which characters fall into each category? Is it difficult to be selfless?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 29, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : August 23, 2011
- Cast : Juliette Lewis , Laura Linney , Mark Ruffalo , Orlando Bloom
- Director : Mark Ruffalo
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Maya Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : pervasive language, some drug content and nudity
- Last updated : September 3, 2022
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