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Parents' Guide to

Clear History

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Salty comedy's selfish, unlikable lead isn't for everyone.

Movie NR 2013 100 minutes
Clear History Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

A decade after walking away from his job with a visionary carmaker (Jon Hamm) -- and famously losing out on a fortune when his boss's pet project becomes a hit -- Nathan Flomm (Larry David) assumes a new life, and a new identity, living among the locals of Martha's Vineyard. But his attempts to CLEAR HISTORY and start fresh backfire when his former employer and his family show up on the island.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Knowing and understanding Larry David's trademark sense of humor is a prerequisite to appreciating Clear History. In spite of the all-star cast of supporting actors (including Hamm, Bill Hader, Kate Hudson, and Eva Mendes), it's a comedy that's built around him. But even then, it might not be as hilarious as you're hoping. Not even with the help of an outlandish beard-wig combo that makes the younger Nathan Flomm look like the love child of Jeff Bridges and Bob Odenkirk.

Great expectations aside, Clear History is clever, and it succeeds as an able farce about greed and revenge, in the spirit of the much funnier What About Bob? and Groundhog Day. Is it a comedy classic? Probably not. But for older teens who can appreciate irony, Flomm's foibles make for a functionally funny cautionary tale.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Larry David's unique brand of humor and how, thanks to irony, his characters' otherwise offensive statements can be funny. Does Nathan/Rolly mean to be an awful person, or is he accidentally offensive? Why do we laugh at his blunders, even when they're borderline racist/sexist/etc.?

  • How does Clear History compare with David's other critically acclaimed comedies, Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm? Does the same humor that worked for him on television work in a longer format?

  • Does the film have a message when it comes to revenge? For Nathan/Rolly, does it pay in the end?

Movie Details

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