Real-life mother of three Susan Sarandon hits the big screen as mom to Emile Hirsch's driving prodigy in the Wachowski brothers' adaptation of Speed Racer. Common Sense Media checked in with the Oscar-winning actress about what drew her to the movie, how she feels about media, and more.

Common Sense Media: What about this project appealed to you?
Susan Sarandon: Initially the reason I was interested was because the Wachowskis are just so talented, and I love The Matrix. But then when I read the script I just loved the fact that ... they had found a way to have the family be so important. It's Mom and Pop -- especially Mom -- who encourage [Speed] to follow his dreams, even though racing has cost them one son already.

CSM: What messages would you say the movie has for kids and families?
SS: I think it says that you need your family, and family members have to be there for each other -- and that it's important as a growing adult to identify your dream and to try and fulfill it. And that takes hard work, and that it takes a family sticking together through hard times and good times -- whatever your family is, because this is an extended family. I don't even know where that chimpanzee came from! [Laughs.] ... Nobody is explaining to [today's kids] that the most important thing is to find something that you really like to do, and if you do it well, that's success, and you will be successful. Instead, [they see] all these reality shows that are making you into a star for, most of the time, horrible things. I like the fact that in Speed Racer I have that scene with Speed where I say, "What you do is art, and I'm so proud of you, and you just take my breath away" -- and it's not about selling out to the corporation and being huge. This family is very lucky, because they basically have a mom-and-pop business which they run from their home, so they're together and they eat meals together and they play together and they work together, and they understand what their father does for a living and they participate in the family business. I just really like that.

CSM: How have your opinions about media changed since you've become a parent?
SS: I watched some TV when I was growing up, but I never really was a screen person. I read a lot, and my daughter [Eva Amurri, 23] was the same way, possibly because her earlier years were spent in Italy, and they didn't really watch a lot there. The battle of my sons [Jack Henry Robbins, 18, and Miles Robbins, 16] has been much more difficult, because the possibilities of what can entertain you has multiplied a thousandfold. My youngest guy was working a computer when he could barely reach the keys, so it's second nature to him. ... He knows everything on the Internet, so it's been very, very challenging to try and find a way to slow that down.

CSM: Do you have media rules for your kids?
SS: Now that they're teenagers it's pretty much out of control -- we have a couple of hours after dinner where Miles isn't supposed to be on any screen, but other than that, you know, they need it for research, and they communicate that way. We had the computer in a public space until this year, so we had a pretty tight ship where that's concerned. ... TiVo also made it easier to control, because when they were younger they couldn't watch anything until their homework was done. So instead of them saying "My show -- that one hour I'm allowed tonight -- is on at a certain time," you could say, "Finish your homework, and we'll be able to see it later!" So it gave us a little more flexibility.

CSM What media do your kids love?
SS: Well, who knows what my 18-year old is watching -- he's off at college -- but they're very big on watching sports, and Miles plays Wii. Rock Band was huge, and I do like that because everybody plays together. I tried [to play some other Wii games], and Miles really boxed me to death. I did much better on some of the other sports.

CSM: Last but not least, is there anything in particular that you think parents need to know before they bring their kids to see Speed Racer?
SS: Good question. Obviously it depends on the age -- younger kids aren't going to get the corporate take-over complications -- I'm not sure I even do! But I guess -- "Don't try this at home!" [Laughs.] There's no sexual content really, there's fighting in a very comic-book way, and any crashes that happen, nobody gets hurt.