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Blue Is the Warmest Color
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Heavy French drama with explicit sex, mature themes.
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Blue Is the Warmest Color
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Based on 10 parent reviews
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What's the Story?
In BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR, Adele has had her share of heartbreak and frustration when it comes to high school romance. She becomes intrigued by a young woman with blue hair whom she sees around town. Adele finally tracks Emma down, and the two strike up a friendship that turns into something much more. Through her relationship with Emma, Adele matures in many ways. But the lesson that one mistake can cost you everything is one she'll have to learn the hard way.
Is It Any Good?
Director Abdellatif Kechiche gets amazing performances out of two young actresses and gives the viewer a lot to think about. The explicit sex certainly grabs the attention, but Blue Is the Warmest Color offers the adult viewer a great deal more to ponder. Teens, though, are unlikely to have the patience to sit through three hours of extended literature- and philosophy-class discussions or the equally extensive adult conversations along the same lines.
The title in French includes (in translation) "Chapters 1 and 2," suggesting there may be more chapters to come, which makes the excessive length less understandable. The lack of an ending, though, is much more understandable, if not less frustrating, once you know you've only seen the beginning of Adele's life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the graphic sex in Blue Is the Warmest Color. How much is OK for kids to see?
Does all the smoking make it seem glamorous or cool? Is it realistic? What are some of the dangers of smoking?
Notice the pressure Adele feels from her friends at school and later from Emma's art-school friends. How do they differ, if at all? How do you respond to peer pressure?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 23, 2013
- On DVD or streaming: February 25, 2014
- Cast: Lea Seydoux , Adele Exarchopoulos
- Director: Abdellatif Kechiche
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studios: Quat'sous Films , Wild Bunch
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship , High School
- Run time: 180 minutes
- MPAA rating: NC-17
- MPAA explanation: Explicit sexual content
- Last updated: June 12, 2023
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