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Vicky Cristina Barcelona

(2008, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Penélope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Smart, mature film about love, lust, and more.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    An engaged woman cheats on her fiancé and later, after they're married, considers doing it again. Another married woman fantasizes about trysting with other men and is caught kissing someone besides her husband. Lovers lie to each other and play games, though for the most part the lead characters are quite accepting of on another's needs and take great care to examine their lives and compulsions. The main relationships are actually quite loving and giving.

  • Violence:

    A tempestuous woman fires shots at her ex-lover and hurts someone in the process; they also quarrel loudly, sometimes throwing things around. There's talk of how she tries to kill herself.

  • Sex:

    Couples (men and women, women and women) kiss passionately. Lovers are shown making love, though no genitals are seen; post-sex, they're shown naked from the upper chest up, the rest covered by sheets. Lots of frank talk about sex, including discussions about threesomes. In a few scenes, a man and two women kiss and embrace.

  • Language:

    A few uses of "s--t."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Lots of social drinking. Some smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Parents need to know that although this romantic dramedy has some risque material (infidelity, discussion of threesomes, passionate embraces), overall it's a witty, intelligent take on the complexities of relationships. As per usual with writer/director Woody Allen's work, its subject matter and complicated characters will likely appeal more to grown-ups than the teenage set. There's some social drinking and smoking and a little bit of swearing, and lovers are shown in various stages of courtship and love-making -- but there's no outright nudity.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the film's take on relationships -- both between friends and between lovers. Do you think the characters' relationships are realistic? What makes Vicky and Cristina such good friends? How is their friendship tested by Juan Antonio? Fans of Woody Allen can also discuss how this movie compares to his other films. What do his movies tend to have in common?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    gabbywabby212
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    older kids

    uh, one word........GREAT!!! i really recommend this for maybe a 12 or 13 year old, this movie really isnt for kids under 12 though. its really mature

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    alpha1014
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    A Must See

    Amazing movie!!! Very mature theme, but great story line and very interesting. Explores different cultures and possibilities. Very artsy and different - but in a good way!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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