Change of Plans

Movie review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
Change of Plans Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 10+

Inspiring movie about family ties involves loss of a parent.

NR 2011 100 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 3 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Stands out for and .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the whole family will find a lot to like in this touching TV movie's messages about love, respect, and family bonds. The movie centers on a happily married couple whose relationship is strengthened by overcoming challenges. Because three of the kids are of different ethnicities, the story incorporates some cultural diversity, including foreign languages and references to ethnic music and traditional games. The emotional subplot surrounding the kids’ parents’ deaths might be too much for sensitive kids, so use your judgment on your kids’ readiness for such a heavy topic. Astute viewers will notice the sponsoring companies’ (Walmart and Procter & Gamble) strategically placed products in select scenes, but it feels like a fairly minor quibble in what's otherwise wholesome family entertainment.

Community Reviews

LeProf_no1
LeProf_no1 Adult
November 17, 2011
age 18+

MOVIE MISMATCHED WITH RATING AND REVIEW

This movie, as shown in its DVD cover, is not the child-appropriate movie reviewed here. SAME TITLE, VERY DIFFERENT FILM. The movie cover shown is a French language movie, Le Code a Changé, "a change in the plan", and is **completely inappropriate,** even for teens, let alone 10 year olds as indicated. The movie's setting is a dinner party of friends and acquaintances, where the back stories are their severe marital and family difficulties and, especially, extramarital affairs, including among the dinner's attendees. So, not for children -- unless your aim is clever French repartee laced with expletives and double entendre, where at least the expletives are clearly translated in the English subtitles.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
RobInKC
RobInKC Adult
May 15, 2011
age 9+
Really sweet show about a married couple who get their priorities in order amidst a life change forced on them. Also engaging and some entertaining music. My 12-year-old daughter and I enjoyed it together and now have purchased it to have in the home.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Sally (Brooke White) and Jason Danville (Joe Flanigan) are living the dream -- happily married with successful careers and no plans for change. But change is just what’s in store for them when Sally’s best friend dies unexpectedly while working in the Peace Corps and leaves her four children -- three of whom are adopted -- in the Danvilles’ care. Certain they’re not parent material, Sally and Jason agree to take in the kids temporarily until the social worker, Dorothy (Phylicia Rashad), can place them elsewhere. But the longer this unlikely group is together, the more it begins to feel like a family.

Is It Any Good?

No surprise, this family-centered movie -- the fourth in the Family Movie Night collection sponsored by Walmart and Procter & Gamble -- is perfectly suited for families to enjoy together. With the exception of young kids who might be upset by the emotional fallout from the movie kids' parents’ death, CHANGE OF PLANS has a lot to offer parents and kids alike, and its feel-good messages about the ties that bind even non-traditional families will inspire viewers. At a time when more and more families are blended in some way, this story offers a touching glimpse at how love grows even in unlikely relationships.

Obvious interpersonal themes aside, the story touches on other issues that will resonate with parents and kids, including teens’ struggles to fit in, coping with change, and establishing trust, so there’s plenty to talk about when the TV’s turned off. This movie also offers viewers a good opportunity to discuss advertising in the media, since it’s filled with product placement from sponsors Walmart and Procter & Gamble and even uses a cameo from Walmart-sponsored NASCAR driver Jeff Burton to parade brand names before viewers’ eyes.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about relationships. Do you think this movie presents realistic family relationships? What aspects do you find most or least believable? How do the characters evolve throughout the story?

  • Tweens: How does your family stay in touch in this media-dominated age? Does technology like cell phones and social media help or hurt those efforts?

  • What are some of your family’s common struggles? How do you make sure that your family is a source of strength and happiness for everyone? What activities do you enjoy together? How do they reflect your family’s values?

Movie Details

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