Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dramedy has lots of swearing and risky teen behavior.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
All at Once
What's the Story?
ALL AT ONCE, James Maxwell (Jon Abrahams) goes from being an up-and-coming New York City artist to being a dad to his best friend's two young daughters after the friend dies at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Now, over 10 years later, oldest daughter Alexis (Sasha Frolova) is in full-tilt, teen-rebellion mode while the younger Grace (Nicole Elizabeth Berger) is becoming an accomplished pianist. When James loses his teaching job, he and the girls have to move back to James' hometown of Buffalo, New York. Can the girls get over their resentment of leaving Manhattan? Can James find a way to enjoy life in the town he once couldn't wait to leave behind? And can the three of them find a way to move forward as a family?
Is It Any Good?
Jon Abrahams assembled a charismatic and attractive cast into this dramedy that gives us some mild laughs but never quite finds its real heart. The storytelling takes some odd shortcuts and lingers a bit too long on areas that don't support a strong, unifying theme. But there's enough to enjoy along the way, and All at Once ends on enough of an upbeat note to make it an OK choice for a movie night with older teens and up.
Teens will definitely relate to Alexis' rebelliousness and how annoying she finds both James and Grace. Fortunately they'll also see the negative consequences of her worst behavior, and all ages can certainly empathize with how the loss of her parents continues to affect her.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the strong language in All at Once. Is it realistic? Is it a big deal? Why or why not?
Is the depiction of drinking and drug use realistic or problematic in any way? What negative consequences are shown? Are they accurate or realistic?
Do your parents or relatives remember the attack on the World Trade Center? What do you know about it? How did it affect you, your family, friends, and community?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 9, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : April 3, 2018
- Cast : Jon Abrahams , Mickey Sumner , Annie Potts
- Director : Jon Abrahams
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Virtuoso Films
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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