Parents' Guide to

10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Well-acted, mature love story has language, sex scenes.

Movie NR 2020 74 minutes
10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • 10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up Movie: Scene #1
  • 10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up Movie: Scene #2

Community Reviews

See all
age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

Pickles7
Pickles7 Adult
June 4, 2020
age 18+

Woeful depiction of ‘romance’

Horrendous movie. Wholly inappropriate for children. The woman is impregnated by a philandering manchild. Horrible depiction of ‘romance’, if anything it’s a semi-abusive relationship. If a man cheats on you dump him and never look back. If a man shouts and swears at you or your children chuck him out of your home and life and never look back. Scary. I find it alarming that movie was made in 2020.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In 10 THINGS WE SHOULD DO BEFORE WE BREAK UP, divorced New York City mom of two Abigail (Christina Ricci) is inadvertently set up for a blind date with Benjamin (Hamish Linklater). They get drunk, and she spends the night with him, only to discover more than a month later that she's pregnant. Abigail confronts Ben to explain that she's not sure whether or not to go ahead with the pregnancy and that she doesn't expect anything from him. But he decides he's all in and becomes fully involved, despite his self-absorbed personality and spotty past with monogamy. Ben even gets to know Abigail's kids and seems ready to commit. Meanwhile, Abigail's best friend, Kate (Lindsay Broad), thinks Abigail is making a huge mistake and should terminate the pregnancy, while Benjamin's ex-girlfriend (Katia Winter) makes it clear that she wants him back, regardless of his pregnant new girlfriend.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This short, surprisingly affecting relationship dramedy explores the challenges of attempting a blended family that involves a womanizing bachelor and a cautious divorced mom. Ricci and Linklater are well cast and believable in their roles, and they sell viewers on the titular idea (like kissing -- and just kissing -- to make up, eating breakfast in bed, etc.). There's a tender moment in which Abigail, Benjamin, and the two kids all cuddle together in bed for a family movie night and Benjamin whispers "I had no idea it could be like this ... love, family, and commitment. This is everything I've ever wanted." Audiences will cheer for the not-so-young couple to have truly found a lasting kind of love.

But writer-director Galt Niederhoffer isn't interested in what's easy, predictable, or romantic. 10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up is about the complicated nature of love, parenting, and relationships. It's heartbreaking at times to see the sweet ups and bitter downs of Abigail and Benjamin's couplehood. And while it's not nearly as moving or memorable as Marriage Story, it has similarly uncomfortable-to-watch arguments that are full of ugly truths ("you're a scary drunk" / "yeah, well, you're a boring sober person") and hurtful proclamations that can't ever be taken back. Strangely satisfying (if not romantic), this is ultimately a movie about Abigail, whose truest love is for her children.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how sex and romance are depicted in 10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up. Why are conversations about consent and birth control important? What do you think about Abigail and Benjamin's relationship?

  • What do you think about the decisions Abigail and Benjamin make? Why does Abigail's best friend insist she's not thinking clearly about the pregnancy? What does being pro-choice mean to you?

  • Is the outcome of the movie what you expected? How does the story relate to the title?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate