Parents' Guide to

Been So Long

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Romcom-musical about single mom has sex and language.

Movie NR 2018 100 minutes
Been So Long Poster Image

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

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What's the Story?

In BEEN SO LONG, Simone (Michaela Coel) is a smart, beautiful hairdresser lovingly raising her 9-year-old, wheelchair-bound daughter without a father. We later learn that in his formerly drug-addicted addled condition, the dad had wanted Simone to have an abortion. Simone's fun-loving best friend Yvonne (Ronke Adekoluejo) expresses her own "horniness" but also thinks Simone has been out of circulation for long enough and, after hiring a babysitter, drags Simone to a bar. Yvonne approaches a handsome man at the bar named Raymond (Arinze Kene), but Raymond is interested only in Simone. They flirt. Despite the strong attraction, Simone will only take Raymond's number and will go no further. As they get to know each other better, a strong bond and attraction grows. After Raymond introduces himself to Simone's daughter without Simone's permission, Simone withdraws, which sends Raymond into another woman's arms and nearly destroys his chances with Simone. Ultimately, they reconcile and seem to genuinely respect each other. Characters break into song and dance to express their emotions.

Is It Any Good?

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

This movie seeks to create a meaningful look at the quest to find love in a complicated world, in this case one of young middle-class London strivers surrounded by crime and drug problems. Coel and Kene are two beautiful, compelling actors who sing and dance well and seem perfectly matched as a couple. Older teens watching may find much to think about in Been So Long's suggestion that had Simone and Raymond slept together upon their first meeting at a bar, the relationship would probably have ended quickly after a one-night stand, leaving both of them feeling awful and regretful. Instead they get to know and respect each other, making their first sexual encounter so much more meaningful and bonding. The movie also portrays an admirable and aspirational world of easy interracial social interaction where blacks and whites mingle at bars, have deep friendships, and fall in love without criticism or stigma.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the difficulties of raising a child as a single parent. Simone's friend wants her to have a social and sexual life in addition to being a devoted mother. Do you think Simone can be both a good single parent and also an adult with a personal life? Why or why not?

  • Do you think the father of Simone's child, a recovering addict who now wants to take responsibility for his abandoned daughter, should be given the chance to participate in the child's life? Do you think Simone was being fair to the father and to the daughter by banning him?

  • Did you like that characters in Been So Long broke into song and dance to express their emotions? Does it add to the story or feel intrusive? Why?

Movie Details

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