 | 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. |
The Man in the Moon
- Review Date: July 26, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 1991
Common Sense Media says
Reese Witherspoon shines in coming-of-age tale.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while this movie will appeal to teens, particularly because of the popularity of its star Reese Witherspoon, it deals realistically and seriously with issues such as: trust, family bonds, adolescent sexuality, and loyalty, as well as the fragility and unpredictability of life. References and scenes that depict kissing, lovemaking, and partial nudity are designed to treat the characters, as well as the audience, with respect and dignity; nothing feels gratuitous for teens and up. There is a particularly shocking farm accident that has dire results.
What's the story?
Dani Trant, at 14, is midway between being a child and being a grownup. Her family is close, loving, expanding (a fourth baby is due to arrive soon), and just making ends meet in the 1950s on a farm in rural Louisiana. When Court Foster (Jason London) returns with his recently widowed mom to the place next door, Dani falls head-over-heels in love for the first time. But after Court meets her older sister, Maureen (Emily Warfield), Dani's feelings about her sister, Court, and about herself, are painfully threatened. Succeeding events and one tragedy, profoundly test both Dani and her family.
Is it any good?
Reese Witherspoon's debut performance in THE MAN IN THE MOON is an astonishing example of the right role in the right movie for the right young actress. This coming-of-age story, told with simplicity, gentleness, and a very basic faith in the power of human goodness and truth, succeeds on every level. Set in 1950, released in 1991, its message is timeless, its characters rich and nuanced. It's a familiar story made fresh and original by talented, dedicated filmmakers.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how times have changed since the 1950s when this movie is set. What was important to teens then that is still important today? How does each main character show both positive and negative behavior, and how do these characters struggle between having what they want and doing the right thing? Did your feelings about Maureen change during this movie?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Educator and Parent of 11, 13, and 14 year old
January 28, 2011
AGE
Good movie, but my 14 year old daughter was quite upset by the graphic death of a main character. I also had a hard time with the whipping by a belt of a 14 year old girl. It was much more upsetting than I'd anticipated. Pretty heavy stuff. But worth seeing. It depends upon how sensitive your child is.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
January 8, 2011
AGE
Worth seeing.
Reese show us a preview of the top-notch atress she will become.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
February 19, 2010
AGE
Not A Kids Movie But Good One For An Older Teen
What I liked About The Movie was how she was a tomboy and that she really didnt pay attention till her mom bestfriend came back to her hometown and she started to like her mom friend older son and he gave dani her first kiss and she falls in love with him after he gets killed on the tractor her and the sister are deeply hurt and go to each other for help. I really like this movie brought a tear to my eye
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 13 years old
July 27, 2010
AGE
Appropriate for young teens and up
The setting in the movie is beautiful, the movie's plot wasn't predictable, just a wonderful coming of age movie altogether. :)
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 13 years old
April 4, 2009
AGE
This movie is very good but also very sad. There is a horrific scene with a tractors blades and might be upsetting for some.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
November 9, 2012
AGE
Loved it since a teen!
The man in the moon is the perfect adolescent romance movie! Starring the amazingly talented Reese Witherspoon as a tween! When a new older boy named Court moves in next door in a country setting, Dani (Witherspoon) accidentally meets him at the nearby pond and their first reactions aren't friendly. After bumping into eachother again, and later meeting up late at night to go swimming together, Dani's feelings change and she is convinced that she's in love. Especially after their first kiss together. Things change when Court meets Dani's beautiful older sister, Maureen. It's like love at first sight for the both of them which devistates Dani and causes her to hate her sister from there on. When Court gets into a tractor accident and loses his life, it eventually brings Dani and Maureen back together. The film is really about growing up in the country, finding out who you really are and where you belong. It has violence (whipping of a girl - you hear screaming and crying. A boy on the ground with blood. Maureen's boyfriend is rough with her after a dance. Some arguing.) Some kissing, swimming naked (nothing sensitive shown), a brief off-screen sex scene with a couple laying together. Language is really mild. Great for mature tweens 13++.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Robert Mulligan |
| Cast: | Reese Witherspoon, Sam Waterston, Tess Harper |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 99 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 4, 1991 |
| DVD release date: | January 9, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
