Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this nighttime, telenovela-style soap opera feeds on conflict and forbidden romance. Sexual scenes include a shirtless priest (he's a fake) prone upon a pious young woman and a scantily clad woman posing seductively for a man. Couples make out, wake up in bed together, and flirt heavily. Plotlines include drug dealing and assassination orders; there are dead bodies, and some characters carry guns. Characters are constantly plotting against and double-crossing one another. Altogether, this is hardly kid-friendly fare. Older teens may enjoy the exaggerated intrigue, but parents may want to preview an episode or two to get a taste first.
Families can discuss what's appealing about soap operas and telenovelas. How are these shows similar to real life? How are they different? Why is there always so much conflict in soap operas? How could the feuds on the show be resolved? What stands in the way of resolution? How is this show similar to and different from Romeo and Juliet?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci
SAINTS AND SINNERS is an English-language telenovela -- replete with soapy melodrama, intrigue, and high romance -- about young lovers from rival Miami hotelier families. And just in case viewers don't make the connection themselves between this story and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the writers have conveniently named the central characters Roman Martin (Scott Bailey) and Julia Capshaw (Tyler Kain).
The story begins when Roman climbs Julia's balcony, proposes to her on the beach ... and later winds up squatting over her dead father's body with blood on his hands. Fast-forward to a year later: Roman is on trial for murder, and the long-standing feud between the two families is burning bright. Julia's mother (Mel Harris) -- a cold, steadfast protector of her family and business -- clashes with Roman's fiery, equally strong mother, Diana (Maria Conchita Alonso). Robin Givens also has a role as a hot designer with a powerful sexual appetite.
Mix in some Miami drug dealers and a handsome mystery man posing as a priest who seduces Roman's pious sister, and Saints and Sinners is one (intentionally) trashy show. If teens are attracted to the glitzy Miami sets and over-the-top romance, they'll probably understand that the characters and situations are exaggerations of real life. But younger viewers might not be as good at seeing through the hype.
Fans might enjoy similar guilty pleasure soaps like American Heiress (and even Desperate Housewives), but viewers looking for less overtly racy stuff might want to check out Melrose Place and Beverly Hills 90210 on DVD.
Rate It!
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| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentHeavy petting; couples in bed together; provocative clothing and posing; serious flirting; shirtless men; women in lingerie. |
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ViolenceThreats with guns; murder plots; dead bodies with some blood. |
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LanguageMedium-level profanity: "ass," "bitch," "slut," etc. |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorA few characters are good-hearted, but most (in true soap opera style) are deceptive, undercutting, jealous, superficial, and just plain bad. |
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CommercialismThe central families are wealthy and live glitzy lifestyles. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOne subplot revolves around drug dealing; viewers see a suitcase full of drugs. Characters drink socially. |
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