Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Well-acted but listless mom-daughter drama has drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
All We Had
What's the Story?
In ALL WE HAD, Rita (Katie Holmes) is a single mom who seems to bounce from one bad boyfriend to another, eventually skipping town when the relationship has run its course -- always with her teenage daughter, Ruthie (Stefania Owen), in tow. Broke, they end up stuck in a small town after trying to skip out on the check at a diner, only to see their car finally break down. It's a sign, perhaps, and Rita ends up landing a job at the diner after she offers a heartfelt apology to the owner (Richard Kind). It might finally be time for the two of them to put down some roots, but not everything goes smoothly.
Is It Any Good?
This mother-daughter drama marks Holmes' directing debut, and while it has strong performances, it limps along with no clear destination. Owen, as well as Eve Lindley as a diner co-worker and Luke Wilson as a semi-regular customer, all work well together on the screen, and the characters' budding friendships seem real and appealing. But that's about it. We see the mother-daughter bond evolve, but neither of the main characters seems to grow much. They're much the same at the end of the movie as they were at the start.
The movie's moments are stitched together with a plodding voiceover that has plenty of detail but little that drums up excitement. While viewers might like Ruthie, there's not much reason to get invested in her character, and there are lots of reasons to be skeptical about Rita's abilities. Holmes does a fine job portraying the flighty, self-indulgent mother, but acting alone can't make All We Had a compelling film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how All We Had treats drinking/alcoholism. Does it seem realistic? What are the consequences?
How does this movie compare to other films about single moms looking for a better life for them and their children? Why do you think this theme is especially common in movies about mothers and daughters?
Does Rita and Ruthie's relationship seem realistic? Does their connection feel authentic?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 9, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : February 28, 2017
- Cast : Katie Holmes , Stefania Owen , Luke Wilson , Richard Kind
- Director : Katie Holmes
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Gravitas Ventures
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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