Detachment

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Detachment Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Mature drama is more introspective than inspirational.

NR 2012 97 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 13+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 1 review

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Detachment is an intense drama about a substitute teacher in an inner city school. Some movies about teachers are inspirational, but this one is more introspective. It includes threats, arguing, and verbal confrontations, as well as some death and blood. Language is very harsh, strong and constant (including "f--k," the "N" word, and much more). There are sexual situations, including a storyline involving a teen prostitute and a quick shot of a naked elderly woman in a rest home. Secondary characters are shown to have drug problems. The material is dark, and the main character learns some hard lessons, but Detachment does end on a hopeful note. The movie could provide interesting discussions for mature teens.

Community Reviews

Michelle_marnay
Michelle_marnay Adult
October 5, 2020
age 10+

Ten and up

There was a bit of sexualness but it wasn't as bad as what people are saying it was a positive movie and i wouldnt mind having my 10 year old daughter. Though some references would go right over her head

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
September 25, 2013
age 15+

This is reality...

Detachment was not bad at all, after reading some great online reviews I gave it a shot and liked it, however, it's much different than anything I've seen. The setting, atmosphere of the film, storyline...etc. It deals with a lot of emotional issues and problems people go through on a daily basis, it's strong and disturbing. One man, Mr. Barthes (Adrien Brody), is a good down to earth kind of guy who helps to change people's lives while working as a substitute teacher in New York. He meets a variety of people who all seem to take to him, allowing him to nudge himself into their daily problems and help make the best of it. But he doesn't always make the wisest decisions when one of his students commits suicide right in front of him, his feelings about everything changes. It's really a good look at some of life's issues and what people go through even when they keep it a secret. It's depressing throughout most of the film but there is a little light at the end of the tunnel. Great acting and awesome cast! Language is very strong and frequent mostly by teens. Violence includes a disturbing act of male students beating a cat inside of a bag with blood shown, a graphic and gory suicide, loud arguments and cruel remarks about others, a woman appears to have cuts and bruises on her body (references to rape), references to death, teens fight. Sexual content includes a porn mag looked at by a male senior with nudity but ends quick, a teen prostitute hassles a man - she's later shown going down on a guy (you hear him moan but no nudity), a senior lady is shown fully naked sitting down, a woman wears skimpy clothing, a woman gets the wrong impression when she walks in on a teacher hugging one of his crying students. There is prescription drug use and alcohol, also a scene of smoking. Not suitable for younger teens, 16 and up is fair.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Mr. Barthes (Adrien Brody) works as a substitute teacher in tough New York City schools, willing to take on month-long assignments without getting tied down. Unlike some of his colleagues, his detachment allows him to deal with the cruel students -- and to connect with the good ones -- without ever getting personally involved. But things change when a teen prostitute, Erica (Sami Gayle), comes on to him. He takes her home to give her something to eat, and she ends up staying. Like everyone else in his life, Mr. Barthes tries to cut Erica loose, but when one of his students tries to commit suicide, he finds that he's really missing something important in his life.

Is It Any Good?

Tony Kaye, the controversial director of American History X, returns to filmmaking with DETACHMENT, an emotionally powerful, enlightening drama. Brody plays a distant, closed-off character, but he relies on his natural charisma to draw focus to himself. He carries his pain just below the surface, locked away but still present. He's mesmerizing, especially when facing some kind of conflict.

The other characters -- played by an impressive cast including James Caan, Lucy Liu, Marcia Gay Harden, Christina Hendricks, and Tim Blake Nelson -- help to provide perspective as harried, frenzied, damaged, deluded souls. The movie throws in some strange, occasional blackboard animation and amber-colored flashbacks to help set the mood. The story's events may line up a little too neatly to test Brody's character on cue, but the emotional responses are truthful, and the movie's satisfying ending is earned.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays teachers and schools. Does it seem realistic or exaggerated? Teens: Do you think about your teachers' lives outside the classroom? Do you think any of them feel the way that Mr. Barthes does?

  • Is Mr. Barthes a role model? What does he do right, and what could he have done better?

  • Why does Meredith want to commit suicide? What other choices could she have made to improve her situation? How could Mr. Barthes have helped?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate