After Class
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Based on 1 review
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After Class
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that After Class is a warm-hearted family drama that tackles provocative themes and has strong language throughout. Much of the adult themes come about as a result of part-time college professor Josh Cohn (Justin Long), who finds himself on the receiving end of complaints due to his blunt and honest teaching methods. These include intentionally controversial dialogue around diversity and inclusion, and questions over sexual behavior and the impact that can have on different people. Subsequent references to masturbation and "rough sex" act as a trigger for one of the characters who is a sexual assault survivor. There is liberal use of "f--k" and "s--t," and some drugs are present with one scene featuring characters getting stoned. A strong message throughout is the value of family and what it means to love and support one another in difficult times. The death of a grandparent is handled with sensitivity and just the right level of humor. The movie is also known by its original title Safe Spaces in some territories.
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What's the Story?
In AFTER CLASS, part-time college professor Josh Cohn (Justin Long) finds himself facing criticism following complaints from a student who felt distressed by his overly candid teaching methods. Forced to defend his reputation, but struggling to understand what he's done wrong, Josh clashes with colleagues, students, and his family as he tries to save his career. Meanwhile, he and his siblings, Jackie (Kate Berlant) and David (Michael Godere), are in and out of hospital, caring for their beloved grandmother, Agatha (Lynn Cohen), and negotiating their estranged parents' -- Diane (Fran Drescher) and Jeff (Richard Schiff) -- mechanisms for coping with Agatha's imminent passing.
Is It Any Good?
A bittersweet combination of big-hearted family drama and intense examination of diversity and inclusion, this comedy-drama is understated but nonetheless beguiling. On one hand, After Class asks big questions about privilege, empathy, and truth. But on the other, it's all about the day-to-day dynamic of family life. With lots of dialogue, a New York City setting, and an undeniably indie vibe, it's no surprise there have been comparisons with Woody Allen.
Brilliantly acted, with notably unassuming yet stand-out performances from Long, Cohen, and Schiff, this is thought-provoking stuff in which even the most likable characters are flawed and the most contentious have your sympathy. Without shying away from controversial subject matter -- sexual abuse, white privilege, death -- it maintains a rationality, examining the balance between expressing yourself honestly and causing offense. Framed within the touching, often humorous, story of a family rallying around their dying grandmother, the movie leaves us contemplating the fundamental value of empathy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the messages around diversity and inclusion in After Class. Did you think the movie gave a balanced exploration of these issues?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the story?
How was sex portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Several characters showed both positive and negative character traits. Which of them do you think made good role models? Who did you most relate to?
Talk about how the movie handled terminal illness and the death of a beloved grandmother. Was it sensitive, relatable, upsetting? How did it compare to other movies in which the death of a loved one is portrayed?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 6, 2019
- On DVD or streaming: February 4, 2020
- Cast: Justin Long, Kate Berlin, Lynn Cohen
- Director: Daniel Schechter
- Studio: Gravitas Ventures
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Character Strengths: Communication, Empathy
- Run time: 93 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: April 29, 2022
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