Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Scenes of emotional distress in heartfelt time-travel drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
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Where to Watch
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An Angel for May
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In AN ANGEL FOR MAY, Tom (Matthew Beard) struggles with being estranged from his father and the news that his mother (Angeline Ball) plans to remarry. He retreats into his own world and follows a stray dog into the woods, where he's transported back in time to the 1940s. There he meets an unusual girl called May (Charlotte Wakefield), who's struggling with her own loss after her parents died in a bombing. Can Tom befriend her and help change the path of her future, or will she end up locked away without hope?
Is It Any Good?
It's the warmth of the central story and the heartfelt acting that makes this such a watchable family drama, even if it's a little slow and predictable at times. An Angel for May relies on the sweet chemistry between Beard and Wakefield to create a touching story of friendship that will likely elicit a tear, even from the iciest of audiences. Both young actors are sympathetic and likable, and the supporting cast do a good job of creating the world around them. It's not the most innovative filmmaking—obvious tropes keep things simple, from foreboding storms to mysterious animal helpers—but there's no escaping the emotional impact for those who can suspend disbelief.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what Tom learned in An Angel for May. What did his relationship with May teach him? How did going into the past change how he saw the world back home?
Tom showed empathy and courage. Why are they important character strengths, and how did they affect his actions and what happened in the plot?
The film involves time travel. What differences did you notice between the two worlds? How did this compare to other movies where characters, particularly children, travel through time?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 23, 2002
- Cast : Tom Wilkinson , Charlotte Wakefield , Matthew Beard
- Director : Harley Cokeliss
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Portman Entertainment Group
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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