Parents' Guide to

Class Rank

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Coming-of-age comedy has likable characters, some drinking.

Movie NR 2018 108 minutes
Class Rank Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Newman's Own
Newman's Own Parent of 14, 15 and 18-year-old
July 9, 2018
age 13+

Excellent, off-beat movie for teens and tweens

My HS senior kept saying, "This seems like a Wes Anderson movie!" Indeed it did. If you like that sort of off-beat humor, this is the movie for you. One thing I really liked is the way these extreme, solitary students were not given the stereotypical treatment of bullied underdogs. Their fellow students were respectful and although this may not have been completely realistic, it was refreshing after seeing SO MANY "typical" teen comedies.
Denise A.
Denise A. Parent of 7, 9 and 12-year-old
May 11, 2018
age 11+

Lovely film, especially for girls.

My two older kids and I saw this in the Newport Beach film festival, and thoroughly loved it. It's been a long time since we've seen a film that was essentially driven by a 16 year old girl who is clearly the smartest one in the room, and she's also kind and has a wonderful relationship with her mother, played by Kristen Chenoweth. It didn't hurt that the girl is played by Olivia Holt, my kids loved her in 'Kickin it". The two kids in the film decide to run for the school board, so it has a little of the 'we can change the world' to it as well as a sweet romance. One bad word spoken in anger which was a bit shocking, but other than that, this is definitely a family film through and through.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In CLASS RANK, accomplished high school student Veronica Krauss (Olivia Holt) dreams of getting into Yale, but her dreams are shattered when she discovers that she's "only" ranked #2 in her class. She goes to a school board meeting and tries to get the ranking system abolished, to no avail. But while she's at the meeting, she spots fellow student Bernard Flannigan (Skyler Gisondo) and comes up with a plan. She'll convince Bernard to run for the board, and his vote will change things for the better. Fastidious, a little offbeat, and raised by his scholarly grandfather (Bruce Dern), Bernard is the opposite of the outgoing Veronica, but he agrees to run. They embark upon his campaign together, and slowly, against the odds, begin to actually like one another. But how will this newfound relationship affect Veronica's plans?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (3):

This could have been just another generic coming-of-age, high school romcom, but it's surprisingly sweet, honest, and lovable; it feels as fresh and bracing as a brand-new John Hughes movie. It's perhaps fitting, then, that Class Rank is directed by Eric Stoltz, an honorary Brat Packer who starred in the Hughes-written Some Kind of Wonderful. Stoltz and screenwriter Benjamin August (Remember) understand that teens are people too, and even high achievers have their doubts and weaknesses. Thanks to tender, nuanced performances, both Veronica and Bernard rise above potential stereotypes and become human.

At the same time, Class Rank is kind to its adult characters, who are so often made ridiculous in teen movies. Dern, who can easily be either cranky or flat-out evil, becomes a slightly edgy, shuffleboard-obsessed, caring grandpa to Bernard, and it's easy to see why the latter loves him so. Kristin Chenoweth is very funny as Veronica's mother, who works on the Law and Order: Special Victims Unit TV show and uses tidbits from its storylines in her parenting. Also delightful is Kathleen Chalfant as the publisher of the local newspaper. The characters are certainly quirky, but Stoltz gives everything a low-key, relaxed quality, and nothing seems too desperate or obvious; it's all smoothed out into a nice, clean flow. This is a kind movie, with room in its heart for all types.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Class Rank's messages. What is it saying about achievement for achievement's sake? Do you think that's really what matters to college admissions staff? If so, is that OK?

  • How does the movie depict teen drinking? Does it look cool? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?

  • What do you think about the "class ranking" system? Is it fair? Why or why not?

  • The two main characters, Veronica and Bernard, are both a little different from their peers. Did you find them to be realistic characters? Why are personality traits sometimes exaggerated in movies?

Movie Details

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