Parents' Guide to Carolina Caroline

For better or worse, crime has never looked sexier than it does in this 1990s-set crime thriller about two bank robbers who fall deeply in love with each other as much as with the thrill of the con. Carolina Caroline goes in a different direction than most "crime couple" stories: There's no bickering, second guessing, or double-crossing, creating a romantic portrait that might feel sigh-inducing. Add to that a thumping country music soundtrack that would make Urban Cowboy envious, and it's all pretty likely to appeal to teens—but before you worry too much, know that the script is a shell game you didn't even realize you were playing.

Charismatic hustler Oliver spouts theories about why stealing isn't unethical in some cases, demonstrating how to manipulate people based on predictable reactions. At first, it might seem as though he's teaching viewers how to pull off their own scams, but as Caroline and Oliver's luck starts to run out, any appeal of small-time rackets evaporates. Instead, we learn how to recognize—and avoid—the tactics of a con artist. And the film offers another observable lesson, too. Caroline and Oliver genuinely love each other, but, together, they're an atypically toxic couple, two unstable elements who are as combustible as they are compatible. Every successful swindle leads to a greater romantic reward, which incites them to take bigger risks—and that, of course, ultimately leads to unsettling consequences. Elevated by strong performances, confident direction, and a sharp script, Carolina Caroline proves that the most dangerous partner in crime is the supportive soulmate who makes your worst ideas irresistible.