Disconnected (2017)
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Coming-of-age drama with a twist; some language, drinking.
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Disconnected (2017)
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What's the Story?
It seems like just another day in the life of Sean Crawford (Bridger Zadina) in DISCONNECTED. His loving and responsible but micromanaging adoptive parents, Lisa and Robert (Olivia d'Abo and C. Thomas Howell), have grounded him, are disappointed in him, and are off for the weekend to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Angry and feeling sorry for himself, Sean's in the mood for a little rebellion. He's been involved in an intriguing online relationship with a girl -- Chloe Morgan (Darya Hope) -- and because she lives hours north of his home, they've never met. What if Sean were to take his dad's sparkling Tesla and drive up the California coast to meet her? So what if Sean doesn't have his license yet? He knows how to drive. Chloe is overjoyed at the prospect. Other than a slightly unsettling confrontation with a motel owner while Sean is charging the car, the ride is uneventful. But the meeting with Chloe takes him into unexpected, unexplored territory. And when Lisa and Robert are called and told that the Tesla has been spotted in Northern California, Sean, who initially set out on a carefree odyssey, is unprepared for the complications that follow.
Is It Any Good?
A winning performance by young Bridger Zadina, some heartfelt moments, and an original take on the traditional coming-of-age drama should engage teens and provide for some thoughtful reflection. While the performances are uneven, writer-director Anastazja Davis has made a substantive movie with some lovely visuals, interesting directorial choices, and enough humor to leaven the seriousness of her story. In what appears, at first, to be another rebellious teen wreaking havoc while his parents are away (i.e., Ferris Bueller and Risky Business), Disconnected takes Sean Crawford on an unexpected journey. The voice-over commentary he contributes -- both funny and poignant -- gives context and intimacy to his plight. The film's exploration of parenting and the importance of honest communication make this a solid movie for family viewing, especially with young teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the use of voice-over narration in Disconnected. What, if anything, does it add to enrich your experience of this movie?
Was the writer-director successful in her efforts to provide humor along with the serious themes of this film? In what ways did the comic moments help bring the characters to life?
What did you learn about different methods of parenting in this movie? While neither set of parents was perfect, did all of them have good intentions? What goals did the parenting teams have in common?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 1, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: August 1, 2017
- Cast: Bridger Zadina, Darya Hope, Olivia d'Abo
- Director: Anastazja Davis
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, High School
- Character Strengths: Empathy
- Run time: 96 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: thematic elements, some drug material, and suggestive content
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
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