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Parents' Guide to

Crime Story

By Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Violence, language in overwrought, confusing crime drama.

Movie R 2021 98 minutes
Crime Story Poster Image

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What's the Story?

In CRIME STORY, Ben Myers (Richard Dreyfuss) is a former criminal who's gone straight. He lives with his wife, Nan (Megan McFarland), who suffers from dementia. His estranged daughter, Nick (Mira Sorvino), is a homicide detective who also works for a crooked congressman, who has a former relationship with Ben. Nick comes to Ben to ask him to help send his nephews to a special school, and Ben reveals to Nick that he's dying of cancer. Meanwhile, Ben's home is robbed, and his huge stash of money is stolen. He jumps back into his old ways to find the thieves, using surveillance footage and his wits, as well as his right-hand man, Tommy (Pruitt Taylor Vince). Everything comes to a head at a rally held by the congressman, where secrets are revealed and violence changes things forever.

Is It Any Good?

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

Despite teaming up two Oscar-winning actors, Adam Lipsius' generically titled crime drama is an overwrought, often confusing assembly of twitchy camerawork and a relentless score. The first 10 minutes of Crime Story have an irritating quality, opening on a flash-forward to Ben in an ambulance, with woozy, out-of-focus cinematography accompanied by Ben's disorienting narration. The latter continues "12 hours earlier" as Ben prepares for his day. The scene somehow recalls the caffeinated rhythm of Uncut Gems, but less energizing; it's more like the end of a caffeine jag, accompanied by a sickly feeling and frayed nerves.

Crime Story continues like this as Dreyfuss and Sorvino act mightily, throwing lots of intensity into their scenes. Sometimes they're magnificent, but most of the time their performances feel unshaped or too strained. The story and its twists feel rather muted compared to the intensity of the scene-by-scene exchanges. There's no real suspense. Additionally, the camerawork frequently obscures certain details, and it's often difficult to even tell what's going on -- or what happened during a split-second moment. At least wonderful character actor Pruitt Taylor Vince is on hand, giving a quiet, touching performance among the chaos.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Crime Story's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?

  • How much violence is directed toward women? Does that change its nature? If so, how?

  • How would you describe the movie's message? What does "we make the best mistakes we can" mean?

  • What makes stories about criminals so fascinating? Why are they interesting?

Movie Details

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