Parents' Guide to

Changeland

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Language, drinking in touching friendship dramedy.

Movie NR 2019 87 minutes
Changeland 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 3 parent reviews

David L.
David L. Adult
May 15, 2023
age 16+

True friends will go the distance to help each other...

Lived in Thailand and believe they nailed the atmosphere and personalities. Their interaction(s) with monks at temples is truly how it is and as shown - borders on magical and fulfilling. Also suffered divorce/family breakup and think Seth Green did a great job at projecting such angst while wrestling with his decision to fight for his broken relationship or let it go. The friends dynamic was well written and acted - in fact all acting in this movie was stellar. All drinking and sexual content was integral to the story with not one gratuitous reference or scene. Loved the movie (obviously) and have recommended it to all my friends and my (grown) children. BTW - Randy O. (Martin in the movie) does a wonderful job in characterizing the (all too few) natural Shamans we pass by daily that are only recognized by like souls or those they help. Kudos to Seth Green and all that participated in the bringing of this fabulous movie to my home theater screen.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
AlexanderHamiltonfan
AlexanderHamiltonfan Adult
July 11, 2020
age 14+

Affectionate movie!

I loved this movie! It was really good and a bit funny. I knew at once I fell in love with in in after a 30 minutes into it! It had me laughing and crying. Some language. Should be rated PG-13: language and some suggestive contents.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In CHANGELAND, it's Brandon's (Seth Green) wedding anniversary, but he suspects his wife is having an affair. He'd planned on surprising her with a trip to Thailand. Instead, he decides to invite his old friend Dan (Breckin Meyer) along. Dan seems to have it all figured out and encourages Brandon to take risks and think for himself. But Brandon seems stuck in his own head, overthinking everything and not very happy. Once in Thailand, a boat tour introduces the friends to tour guides Pen (Brenda Song) and Dory (Clare Grant). Later, free-spirited goofball Ian (Macaulay Culkin) takes them to a special kickboxing bar, where everything that Brandon's been struggling with comes to a head.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Marking Green's feature writing and directing debut, this endearing dramedy explores its relaxing, lush visuals while contemplating an inert, introverted, but surprisingly relatable character. Many movies have been made about men who rediscover their humanity during a trip -- and/or thanks to outgoing friends -- but Changeland feels uncommonly honest, perhaps even brave. Green rolls the dice on a character who's indecisive and morose, and begins the movie staring into the middle distance as he makes his way to the airport. But Green's performance and filmmaking make Brandon feel three-dimensional.

At the same time, Meyer plays one of those characters who always seem to know what to say and do and yet also seem totally human. (Over the course of the movie, he examines some of his own hurts.) Perhaps the secret is that Green never overreaches. Like the serene camerawork that drinks in the scenery, the screenplay takes its time and lets feelings flow in natural-sounding dialogue. The movie's other secret is the delightful supporting cast; in a weaker film, they would seem like plot gimmicks, but here they all quickly and comfortably establish themselves as flawed, likable humans. Changeland is that rarity in independent cinema: a movie that eschews "quirkiness" for honesty.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Changeland depicts drinking. Is it glamorized? Does it look like fun? Are there consequences? Why is that important?

  • What's the friendship like between the two main characters? Do they communicate? Do they trust one another? Does their friendship improve during the story?

  • Can it be helpful to travel to a new place to soul-search? What can we find out about ourselves in new places?

Movie Details

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