A Little Help

  • Review Date: July 25, 2011
  • Rated: R
  • Genre: Drama
  • Release Year: 2011
  • Running Time: 108 minutes

Common Sense Media says

One strong performance in otherwise negative adult drama.
  • Review Date: July 25, 2011
  • Rated: R
  • Genre: Drama
  • Release Year: 2011
  • Running Time: 108 minutes

Age(i)

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Quality(i)

 
(i)
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What parents need to know

Positive messages

In a world where people are obsessed with work and money and no one is very admirable, the main character -- a sad dental hygienist/single mother -- is a perpetual doormat who tries to take out her sadness and frustration with various vices (drinking, cigarettes, smoking pot, and sex). She lies and treats her son fairly inappropriately, though viewers are asked to believe that she continues to learn and try.

Positive role models

The main character drinks and smokes too much, indulges in lies and bad behavior, speaks inappropriately to her son, flirts with infidelity, and allows her family to push her around. She's a perpetual victim, although she seems to keep trying. ...

Violence

Lots of shouting and arguing between various adult family members, most notably between a mother and her 12-year-old son (they say "you suck" and "shut up" to each other). A character dies suddenly in iffy (though not graphic) circumstances.

Sex

In an early scene, the main character moves off screen to give her husband oral sex. Later, she goes on a date and has some terrible-looking sex on a couch, though there's no nudity. She's also seen kissing her brother-in-law. Some innuendo. A death is caused by heart strain brought on by sexual activity.

Language

Strong but not constant language includes several uses of "f--k" and "t-ts," as well as "c--t," "s--t," "goddamn," "ass," "Jesus," "crap," "balls," "twat," "bitch," and "a--hole."

Consumerism

The main character drinks a lot -- and it's always Budweiser beer. The brand is never mentioned aloud but is shown many times. She also drinks a Super Big Gulp and Absolut Vodka. Other brands include Skippy peanut butter and an Apple iBook computer.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

A teen smokes pot in one scene. The main character drinks beer quite often (and vodka in one scene), but though there's some discussion of her "drinking problem," she's not shown to be an alcoholic. She also smokes cigarettes (and lies about them). A secondary character smokes pot in several scenes. Other characters are seen drinking lots of liquor at a funeral.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this indie drama (with comedy elements) about a troubled mom whose husband suddenly dies is filled with bad behavior and doesn't really have any positive role modeling. The main character's 12-year-old son spreads a huge lie, and she allows it. There's also a lot of arguing, sometimes between the mother and son. She drinks quite often -- sometimes vodka, but mostly beer (her beer of choice, Budweiser, is often displayed on screen) -- and there are hints that she has a drinking problem. She also smokes cigarettes, and a teen and a secondary adult character smoke pot. Language is strong, including "f--k," "s--t," "t-ts," and "c--t." There's no nudity, but expect some implied/off-screen sex and sexual innuendo. Teen fans of star Jenna Fischer's TV show The Office may be interested, but despite the fact that there's a prominent preteen character, this one is geared for adults. 

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What's the story?

In 2002 on Long Island, Laura (Jenna Fischer) is unhappily married to Bob (Chris O'Donnell), stuck with an overbearing family, drinking too much beer, and secretly smoking in the car. When Bob suddenly dies, Laura's equally unhappy 12-year-old son, Dennis (Daniel Yelsky), makes up a lie about how he was a 9/11 hero. Moreover, her family has arranged for a sleazy lawyer (Kim Coates) to sue Bob's doctor for malpractice. Laura knows it's wrong, but she needs the money. Laura slowly finds herself navigating a series of emotional pitfalls surrounding work, family, dating, sex, a noisy dog, and a lovestruck brother-in-law. Will she ever find peace?

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

Michael J. Weithorn, a writer, producer, and director on various sitcoms (Ned and Stacey, The King of Queens), makes his feature writing and directing debut with A LITTLE HELP, and the result is a case of throwing in too much drama with too little payoff. Recounting the list of things that go wrong during the movie is an almost comical experience -- and, indeed, the movie tries to offer some black humor from time to time to lighten things up. The best and funniest it can manage is a patient's-POV shot of Laura working in her dentist's office, pestered by a noisy parrot squawking behind her.

 
All this stuff fails, and though the movie can't possibly wrap up all its dramatic threads in any realistic manner, the way it abruptly leaves off is just as dissatisfying. The upside is that all this drama gives Fischer plenty to do (even her girl-next-door beauty is a factor), and she doesn't waste the opportunity. Hopefully it will make a nice calling card for future, better movies.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about the main character's drinking. Why does she drink? Is she an alcoholic? What message does the movie ultimately send about drinking?

  •  

  • Are there any admirable characters here? If not, what makes them interesting? Are any of them working toward something positive?

  • How does the movie portray mother-son relationships? Does it seem believable/realistic?

Movie details

Theatrical release date:July 22, 2011
DVD release date:October 25, 2011
Cast:Chris O'Donnell, Jenna Fischer, Lesley Ann Warren
Director:Michael J. Weithorn
Studio:Freestyle Releasing
Genre:Drama
Run time:108 minutes
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:language, some sexual content and drug use

This review of A Little Help was written by

Jeffrey M. Anderson

About our rating system

  • 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 of any age.

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Quality

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  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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