Parents' Guide to

Ashby

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Complex, violent comedy explores friendship and mortality.

Movie R 2015 103 minutes
Ashby Poster Image

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

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Is It Any Good?

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

Like a hail-Mary pass that finds its target, Ashby surprises with uncommon depth and sensitivity for a comedy that's full of violent moments. It's funny, moving, and unpredictable -- a delightful mix. There's so much to like about this film. First and foremost are the lead characters: Ed (played amiably by Wolff) and Ashby, a role that really gives Rourke something to sink his talented teeth into. Rourke knows how to deliver a witty line at just the right moment, with just the right inflection, and Wolff is his perfect partner in crime.

Also refreshing is how the character of Ed's mom, a single mom who freely explores her sexuality, isn't made into fodder for slut-shaming; a few scenes between Silverman and Wolff portray a mature, authentic interaction between mother and son about the subject, and complications, of sex. One flaw? Roberts' character feels a little paint-by-numbers, though she's pivotal in one scene. Bottom line? The film's tussle with mortality and good vs. evil gets a little fuzzy with some of the plot twists, but overall Ashby is a joy.

Movie Details

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