Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen romance about big love and big decisions; language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Escaping Ohio
What's the Story?
In ESCAPING OHIO, Sam (Jessica Michael Davis) and JJ (Collin Kelly-Sordelet) have been best friends since growing up in Akron, Ohio. Now that they've graduated from high school, they're both looking forward to starting the rest of their lives. But Sam wants to start hers as far from Ohio as she can possibly get, while JJ loves his town and wants to build a life there. With Sam. Determined that he can convince Sam to stay if he can only make her see how great their hometown is, he asks for one day to show her that Akron's got a lot of wonderful things about it. And as they look at the places they've always known with new eyes, their feelings for each other start to deepen into something that's really going to complicate their lives and their futures.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fairly standard romance that ticks most of the boxes fans of the genre are looking for without generating a whole lot of strong feelings about it one way or the other. For the most part, Escaping Ohio is fine but not exceptional thanks to middle-of-the-road acting and a lackluster script. But what does elevate it out of ho-hum territory is a refreshing look at a girl in love who ultimately makes the decision she knows is right for her. Teen fans of romance will also enjoy the excitement and butterflies of falling in love, which are on full display here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the romance in Escaping Ohio. Does Sam and JJ's relationship seem real? Why or why not?
Do you think Sam's ultimate decision was the right one, or that it took courage to make the decision? What would you have done?
Are you more like JJ, who loves his hometown and wants to build a life there, or are you more like Sam, who can't wait to get out and see what the world has to offer? Or are you somewhere in between? Why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 8, 2024
- Cast : Jessica Michael Davis , Collin Kelly-Sordelet
- Director : Jessica Michael Davis
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Gravitas Ventures
- Genre : Romance
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 81 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 31, 2024
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