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Parents' Guide to

Boundaries

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Indie road-trip dramedy has pot dealing/smoking.

Movie R 2018 104 minutes
Boundaries Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 2 parent reviews

MrWordNerd
MrWordNerd Adult
October 30, 2018
age 16+

Very Few Bright Moments, Mostly Tedious and Too Many F-Bombs

Eight F-bombs in the first five minutes, then I lost count; lots of other profanities, and the film did not need any foul language! I'm OK with an appropriately placed expletive once in a while, but frequent gratuitous foul language turns me off. I laughed a couple of times, but was always left waiting to be pleasantly surprised. Biggest surprises were the foul language and that this film was simply a big let down. Can't recommend.

This title has:

Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Ruralwannabe
Ruralwannabe Adult
July 14, 2018
age 16+

Will require discussions about scoff laws

As a kidless adult, both me and my husband enjoyed this movie. It hits many excellent family threads, why family counts, what happens if yours doesn't work, how to deal with it in a positive way, etc. Had to come back to add a comment on a scene that I had forgotten: the boy has a talent for art and his way to annoy adults is to draw them nude. There is a quick shot of a drawing of his Dad nude with full frontal nudity, just brief enough to recognize it for what it is, and it can be quite startling. I believe people should become accustomed to nudity that is not of a sexual nature, so I think this is fine for children over 16. Might cause some uncomfortable questions. On the other hand, it shows pot selling, which at the time it transpires (though it may be already legal by the time you see this movie) it was illegal. Many believe it shouldn't be illegal, and it is in many states legal already, but it is clear that in this situation, it is not. It also involves a teenager in making decisions on whether to participate based on conflicting messages from important adults. It is thought provoking and for a healthy semi-mature or mature brain, it does not present it as a viable activity, it also shows the adverse and unintended consequences of thinking you are either above the law or not going to get caught. For a mature teen, it could show different attitudes and the results of those attitudes. It was also entertaining, and the acting and scenery were good. A well spent hour and a half. As an added note, it also shows how difficult it can be to be a single parent.

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In BOUNDARIES, single mom Laura Jaconi (Vera Farmiga) is in therapy, learning to set, yes, boundaries. She loves to adopt stray animals and is having trouble with her sensitive teen son, Henry (Lewis MacDougall); he likes to draw graphic naked pictures and has been expelled from school. Though Laura has been avoiding calls from her 85-year-old father, Jack (Christopher Plummer), she reluctantly decides to ask him for money for a private school for Henry. Unfortunately, Laura discovers that Jack, too, has been expelled -- from his nursing home, for dealing pot. While trying to figure out what to do next, Jack secretly enlists Henry for a plan: They must get Laura to drive them from Portland to Los Angeles, to the home of Laura's sister, JoJo (Kristen Schaal), where Jack will live. While on the road, Jack will sell the rest of his stash and raise $200,000. But spending all that time together will test the family in ways they never expected.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Though blessed with outstanding performers, this indie dramedy/road movie never really sparks to life; it's a little too aware of its plot and character components and comes off as mechanical. Written and directed by Shana Feste (Country Strong, Endless Love), Boundaries frankly has too many boundaries, too much material that seems cobbled together from other screenplays or learned in screenwriting class, with too little room to breathe. Even more distressing, Laura comes across as high-strung, screechy, and irreversibly damaged. She's not much fun and not very appealing, and her character doesn't do much to advance the quality of female representation on-screen.

The main male characters are the ones who get to have fun and be silly. But they're both defined, simply, by a single character trait: Jack by his pot dealing and Henry by his drawings of naked people. These traits are meant to be humorously shocking, but the movie's muted tone -- it's trying to be a touching drama as well as a comedy -- dampens all the laughs. Fortunately, cheerful, squeaky-voiced goofball Schaal elevates the movie in her few scenes. JoJo is the only character who seems to have any kind of humorous self-conflict; she's unflappably happy despite her cramped living conditions. It's too bad the rest of Boundaries couldn't have cut loose a bit.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Boundaries portrays drugs and drug use. Is pot glamorized, and made to look cool or enticing? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?

  • How are sex and nudity depicted? Why do you think Henry is interested in making nude drawings? How do other characters feel about them?

  • Is Laura a compelling character? Are there any moments that are about her? Does she make her own choices? How does she compare to JoJo?

  • What is the family relationship like in this movie? Do the family members communicate? Are they honest? Are they supportive or critical?

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