Parents' Guide to Anything Is Possible

Movie NR 2013 93 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

Tracy Moore By Tracy Moore , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 11+

Inspirational faith-based movie has heavy themes.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 11+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 16+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Nathan's mom Maggie (Lacey Chabert) is off to help tsunami victims in Japan, but when military men arrive to tell them she's missing in a bridge accident, Nathan (Ethan Bortnick) and his father, George (Jonathan Bennett), are left on their own. Then Social Services arrive to inform them that until they can determine proof of George's paternity, Nathan will be put in an orphanage. From there, the community must learn to wait patiently for news of Maggie, while Nathan uses his musical talents to pass the time.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE is a positive movie about character and community, and it works a strong angle promoting faith and belief in getting through tough times. It depicts a strong community organizing around a suffering family and doing whatever it takes to help a local orphanage stay afloat and help a boy reunite with his rightful father. That said, it also promotes a likely very unrealistic idea about the odds of coming back after going missing in any military or rescue operation overseas.

For younger kids there's some heavy emotional content as it is, but for kids who've lost parents to military service, the ending may be a bit much. Otherwise, it's a solid film that can spark discussion about coping that features some impressive musical chops from real-life child piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the ending. Does it seem believable to you? Why, or why not?

  • How does Nathan's talent help him cope? What do you do to get through tough times?

  • What does Anything Is Possible show us about military families and the sacrifices they make?

Movie Details

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