 | 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 United States of Leland
- Review Date: September 6, 2004
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
Uneven drama that's too intense for kids.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has very mature themes. A teenager murders a developmentally disabled boy. Characters drink (reference to alcohol abuse), smoke, take drugs (a teenager is addicted to heroin), and use extremely strong language. There are sexual references and situations.
What's the story?
Leland (Ryan Gosling) seems like a reasonably pleasant and easy-going kid. And then one day he kills a developmentally disabled boy, the brother of his girlfriend. It isn't that no one seems to know the reason. It seems that there just was no reason. Leland had always been polite to everyone and kind and gentle with the boy, volunteering to walk him home from school. A cop dismisses Leland as just another SFK (sick f-ing kid). But he does not seem angry or violent or unstable. He does not even seem upset. He is cooperative, truthful, and placid. In the juvenile facility, teacher and frustrated writer Pearl (Don Cheadle), is intrigued and decides to write Leland's story. Leland's father (Kevin Spacey) is a successful novelist who can write sensitive stuff, but is aloof, even merciless in his interactions with other people. He can't help Leland, but he can stop Pearl from exploiting his story. But Leland wants someone to listen, and Pearl is all he has.
Is it any good?
THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND is an overly plotted but beautifully acted movie. The script has the overheated, overblown, over-everything feel of an actor's exercise extravaganza. Each character has some major emotional challenge and it gets overloaded and distracting. But the individual moments, especially Gosling's performance, are sensitive and moving and the issues of the damage we inflict on ourselves and each other are worth examining, even less than successfully.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Leland showed no emotion about what he did. Why was telling the story important to him? Why was it important to Pearl? What did Leland's father want for Leland? Why was Mrs. Calderon so important to Leland? What does the story of Pearl's name tell us?
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AGE
Lots of intense content, but great movie!
Although this movie did not get good reviews, it is one of my personal favorites. It has some slow scenes, but the flashbacks are interesting and drive the plot well. Also, instead of getting a definite reason, the audience is left to find the 'why' themselves throughout the film. Language is extremely strong, and there are quite a few references to sexual stuff. Drugs are also used. Disturbing violence is implied, but never shown onscreen. (except for the aftermath). Great movie and I do recommend it!
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Matthew Ryan Hoge |
| Cast: | Chris Klein, Jena Malone, Ryan Gosling |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 104 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 2, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | September 6, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language and some drug content |
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