Parents' Guide to All My Puny Sorrows

Movie R 2022 103 minutes
Two women look out over a bleak winter landscape.

Common Sense Media Review

Andrea Beach By Andrea Beach , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Moving, heavy drama about suicide has some sex, language.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

  • All My Puny Sorrows Trailer
  • Two sad women hug.
  • A woman looks out of the driver's side window of a car.
  • A distressed woman walks along railroad tracks.

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's the Story?

ALL MY PUNY SORROWS is the story of two sisters in their 30s. Yoli (Alison Pill) is a mother to 16-year-old Nora and a struggling novelist. Elf (Sarah Gadon) is a famous concert pianist who wants to die. The story begins with Elf in the hospital after she was found and saved, against her wishes, by her mother, Lottie. Yoli comes to visit Elf in the hospital, and the two spend a lot of time talking about life, pain, and Elf's desire to go to a clinic in Switzerland where she can end her life with dignity. They also remember their lives growing up together and shared tragedies like their father's suicide. Elf seems to be getting better and is released from the hospital to resume her regular life. But Yoli is sure it's too soon, and that Elf is only pretending to feel better.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This is a quiet, moving, and emotionally intense movie that takes on the difficult subject of suicide. All My Puny Sorrows treats the subjects, and its characters, with compassion and warmth, and sometimes gentle humor, too. The strong acting creates a solid foundation for exploring life, pain, death, sisterhood, art, literature, and so much more. Some of the events are a little confusing to place when you're sometimes not sure if it's a flashback or not. And while most of them are moving and lovely, some of the scenes of Elf and Yoli talking in the hospital go on a bit too long, or seem to repeat ground that's already been covered.

There's only one teen character, so appeal may be limited, but it will inspire empathy for people who struggle with day-to-day living. Mature viewers who won't be triggered by the subject, and who can handle the mature themes, will find a lot of food for thought about whether and when a person can decide to end their life.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how All My Puny Sorrows deals with suicide. It can be hard to talk about. Did the movie change any ideas you had about it? Have you ever thought about it, or do you know someone who has? What would help you, or how can you help someone else?

  • What about Elf's mental health? How does the movie portray her thoughts, her treatment, and its effects on her loved ones?

  • What about the strong language? Is it too much? Is it realistic, and does that make a difference?

Movie Details

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Two women look out over a bleak winter landscape.

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