Tuesdays with Morrie

  • Review Date: August 28, 2005
  • NR
  • Genre: Drama
  • 1999
Review

Common Sense Media says

Oprah Winfrey presents a three-hanky weepfest.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
2
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film contains mature emotional themes that deal mostly with Morrie's death from Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). There are instances of mild profanity, and some derogatory statements about disabilities. Young children might be disturbed by scenes in the hospital as well as the film's conclusion.

  • Positive messages3
    Not applicable.
  • Violence0
    As part of Morrie's treatment for ALS his back is violently beaten by a masseuse and by Mitch.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
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What's the story?

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE is a TV movie adaptation of Oprah Book Club pick, Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson, penned by workaholic Detroit sports columnist, Mitch Albom. It's the true story of the author's weekly meetings with Morrie Schwartz (Jack Lemmon), a retired college professor who suffers from Lou Gehrig 's disease. The film focuses on Mitch's (Hank Azaria) struggle to find the meaning of life, while his former mentor succumbs slowly to death.

Is it any good?

 

Jack Lemmon, who won an Emmy for his performance as Morrie, delivers a touching, if not significant portrayal, of a man dealing thoughtfully with his disease. Hank Azaria's performance however, seems forced, due mostly to dialogue that does not transition well to the screen. The movie might not offer much for kids, but adults searching for an answer to the age-old question "What is the meaning of life?" may find something soulful in Tuesdays with Morrie.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the effects and conditions of Lou Gehrig's Disease. They may also want to venture deeper into talks about death and the "after life." What is Morrie trying to tell Mitch using his story about the little wave? What might the food Mitch continually brings Morrie symbolize? The media in this film is often portrayed in an unfavorable manner. This might be a good opportunity to discuss viewing television through a critical lens.

This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors
Kid, 12 years old
May 20, 2010
AGE
2
 
e.g. It's boring if you are a kid/teen, but it's great if you are an adult/parent/educator
M**k Jackson is Writtened. Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring M*ck Jackson Why We Rated This IFFY for ages 2-17 OFF = 0 and younger IFFY = 0-17 ON = 18 and older IT IS FOR ADULTS 18 and up, it is more for 19 and up Is it any good 2 stars WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW Jason write that Families can talk about Morrie who said "f--k" unbleeps Are you going to see it? NO WAY ON THE FENCE WONT MISS IT did this review decided you? (english) YES NO (esponal) SI NO (francis) WI NO More on Tuesday with Morrie What's the Story? Old Man's Families are in the story Is it any good? NO. Movie Details Studio: Syndicated, Director: Mike Jackson Theatreical release: 12/5/1999 DVD Release: 12/5/1999 Rating: TV-PG Our Members Say Have You Seen it? Review It Violence = Van in the Gate Language = THE WORD "F--K" is unbleeped 1 at a time Dr*gs = Not an issue all the time.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (9) | Had useful details (8) | Read my mind (11)
Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
May 20, 2010
AGE
2
 
e.g. It's boring if you are a kid/teen, but it's great if you are an adult/parent/educator
M**k Jackson is Writtened. Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring M*ck Jackson Why We Rated This IFFY for ages 2-17 OFF = 0 and younger IFFY = 0-17 ON = 18 and older IT IS FOR ADULTS 18 and up, it is more for 19 and up Is it any good 2 stars WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW Jason write that Families can talk about Morrie who said "f--k" unbleeps Are you going to see it? NO WAY ON THE FENCE WONT MISS IT did this review decided you? (english) YES NO (esponal) SI NO (francis) WI NO More on Tuesday with Morrie What's the Story? Old Man's Families are in the story Is it any good? NO. Movie Details Studio: Syndicated, Director: Mike Jackson Theatreical release: 12/5/1999 DVD Release: 12/5/1999 Rating: TV-PG Our Members Say Have You Seen it? Review It Violence = Van in the Gate Language = THE WORD "F--K" is unbleeped 1 at a time Dr*gs = Not an issue all the time.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (9) | Had useful details (8) | Read my mind (11)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
May 20, 2010
AGE
2
 
e.g. It's boring if you are a kid/teen, but it's great if you are an adult/parent/educator
M**k Jackson is Writtened. Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring M*ck Jackson Why We Rated This IFFY for ages 2-17 OFF = 0 and younger IFFY = 0-17 ON = 18 and older IT IS FOR ADULTS 18 and up, it is more for 19 and up Is it any good 2 stars WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW Jason write that Families can talk about Morrie who said "f--k" unbleeps Are you going to see it? NO WAY ON THE FENCE WONT MISS IT did this review decided you? (english) YES NO (esponal) SI NO (francis) WI NO More on Tuesday with Morrie What's the Story? Old Man's Families are in the story Is it any good? NO. Movie Details Studio: Syndicated, Director: Mike Jackson Theatreical release: 12/5/1999 DVD Release: 12/5/1999 Rating: TV-PG Our Members Say Have You Seen it? Review It Violence = Van in the Gate Language = THE WORD "F--K" is unbleeped 1 at a time Dr*gs = Not an issue all the time.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (9) | Had useful details (8) | Read my mind (11)
Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
 
Pretty good adaption to a good book.
I also highly reccommend that you watch "The Five People You Meet in Heaven", that or read the book, by the same author of "Tuesdays With Morrie". By the way, "Morrie" is an actual story, which made the book all the sadder.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (8) | Had useful details (9) | Read my mind (8)
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Teen, 15 years old
April 15, 2010
AGE
2
 
Horrible, sappy, tripe!
I can't stand how people want us to watch this sappy crap! It's pointless! If I wanted to cry, I'd have a real tragedy! Stupid sucky piece of crap!
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (8) | Had useful details (8) | Read my mind (8)
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This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors
Studio:Buena Vista
Director:Mike Jackson
Cast:Hank Azaria, Jack Lemmon, Wendy Moniz
Genre:Drama
Run time:89 minutes
Theatrical release date:December 5, 1999
DVD release date:May 3, 2005
MPAA rating:NR
This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors
 

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