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Parents' Guide to

Aloha

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Teen-friendly romcom has potential but tries too hard.

Movie PG-13 2015 105 minutes
Aloha Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 4 parent reviews

tirzamina01
tirzamina01 Adult
November 24, 2020
age 13+
Efdmiguez
Efdmiguez Adult
April 7, 2020
age 18+

Ultimately Unrealistic

Though the movie is entertaining and the actors are charismatic to watch and work well together, the overall message of the movie is the ends justify the means. When the characters “resolve” their conflicts, the result is unrealistic. This movie does not give an accurate or realistic depiction of consequences for actions. The main character, Brian, seems to easily slide out of his tough situations at the end of the movie, magically becoming the hero. This movie sets up the main character to be virtuous when in fact he does very little that is of virtue. Aloha does not provide great role models (husbands are cowardly, men and women have sexual relations out of wedlock, married people have inappropriate emotional relationships with single people, characters sabotage other’s projects, characters manipulate others to get what they want, etc.) If a young person does not have a well formed conscience, this movie would confuse him/her. That is why I suggest this movie only for older teens and hopefully with their parents’ input and discussion after they watch it to discuss what was actually heroic and what was not. Do the ends truly justify the means? Overall, I would not recommend this for children or teens because it glorifies dishonorable behavior and shows unrealistic reactions to certain circumstances.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

It's been years since Brian Gilcrest (Bradley Cooper), a former Air Force-pilot-turned-defense-contractor, has been in Hawaii, and now it's time to return. But he's troubled: A trip to Afghanistan on business went awry, leaving him injured. His ex-girlfriend, Tracy (Rachel McAdams), now married to another Air Force pilot (John Krasinski), is still in Hawaii, and she and Brian have unfinished business to discuss. And then there's his security detail, Alison Ng (Emma Stone) -- an Air Force pilot with a glittering future -- whom Brian can't quite resist but is worried he'll bring down. Meanwhile, his millionaire boss (Bill Murray) may have plans for the island that will have repercussions for years to come, and Gilcrest isn't sure he wants to be a part of them.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (8 ):

That Cameron Crowe is a gifted director has never been under debate, but his gifts aren't on full display in Aloha. It's an interesting but muddled mix of romance, personal journey, marital strife, wartime reckoning, and environmentalism, all sprinkled with a hint of mystery and mysticism. In short, the film is confusing, and it feels a little manipulative, too. We sense that Crowe wants us to feel things, and we sort of want to, but it also feels a little forced. And tone-wise, the movie jumps around, alienating viewers. Just when we settle into the romance, the focus shifts to mysticism, and the two don't exactly feel connected.

Aloha does work on the human level, especially when Gilcrest has to reckon with his ex. Cooper and McAdams bring humanity to their roles. But Stone, while she's still delightful (though it's worth noting that she plays a part-Asian, part-Hawaiian character, neither of which she is), seems to playing in a different key, turning in a performance that's a little too broad for such a personal movie.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Aloha views relationships. Why does it propose that they fail? Are there important takeaways here? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding relationships.

  • The film looks at the intersection of Mother Nature, mysticism, and commercialism. What is it trying to say about how Hawaii (and the rest of the planet) is being shaped by commerce and military interests?

  • Some have balked at Emma Stone being cast as a part-Asian, part-Hawaiian character. How do you feel about that decision?

  • How are the after-effects of war addressed in movies that aren't directly about war? Why do you think movies take specific positions on issues like private business taking over public space?

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