Parents' Guide to

Collateral Beauty

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Cast is best part of sentimental drama about grief.

Movie PG-13 2016 94 minutes
Collateral Beauty Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 16+

Based on 9 parent reviews

age 15+

A WORK OF ART...

Don't believe the negative reviews. This is an artistic masterpiece. The mysterious revelation at the end just adds to the beauty. For parents: A little minor violence, some swearing, some drinking, no smoking, no consumerism. A bit sad in parts. Plot moves quickly.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
age 18+

Trailer

Actually it can be good, but the plot is so fast and a little bit random. You just need to watch trailer, it's better than the movie.

This title has:

Great messages

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9):
Kids say (9):

The fabulous cast saves this sentimental holiday drama, but it still ultimately feels more like a big-budget Hallmark Christmas movie than an awards-caliber film. Collateral Beauty isn't bad, but it's also not as memorable as would be fitting for the acclaimed ensemble. There are occasional moments of humor, thanks to the gifted actors, but there's no getting around the fact that the story is treacly sweet. Life lessons are served over and over again for all of the characters (and the audience), not just Howard.

In addition to Howard's three friends and the trio of Love, Death, and Time, there's another character worth mentioning -- Madeleine (Naomie Harris), who runs a bereavement group that Howard attends for parents who've lost their children. Their instant chemistry makes sense, since they have a tragic loss in common. But in the end, all the fine acting (and with Smith, there's a bit of overacting, too, in a couple of climactic scenes...) doesn't rise above the movie's tender but cheesy twists.

Movie Details

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