Parents' Guide to

Georgetown

By Kat Halstead, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

True-ish crime drama has strong language, domestic abuse.

Movie R 2021 99 minutes
Georgetown movie poster

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What's the Story?

In GEORGETOWN, ambitious social climber Ulrich Mott (Christoph Waltz) charms his way into the powerful Washington elite. Marrying Elsa (Vanessa Redgrave), a wealthy older woman, Ulrich uses her leverage to further his career. But his reality begins to crumble when he is investigated for murder.

Is It Any Good?

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

Oscar-winning actor Waltz makes his feature directorial debut with this tense crime drama based loosely on real-life events. Not only is Waltz behind the camera, but he also takes center stage, with Georgetown quickly becoming his own show. Indeed Annette Bening and even Redgrave are swept to the side to make space for his familiar brand of maniacal charm. While his is undoubtedly the most intriguing character, the movie never quite gets to grips with the whys, allowing itself to be bogged down in confusing details of the hows that only serve to push viewers further from the answers.

Redgrave's Elsa holds just enough power, her sharp eye seeing but not always comprehending in a role that's impact could easily have been bolstered in the screenplay. Bening, though her screen presence can never be denied, is given very little to work with. What the film does do well is recreate the world of Washington's political elite; the desperation simmering just beneath the surface of the games, the arrogance, and the social extravagance. At the heart is Ulrich's cuckoo in the nest, having flown in just under the radar, it's a waiting game for him to make his push.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the relationship at the heart of Georgetown. What did Ulrich get from his marriage to Elsa and what did Elsa get? Discuss the domestic abuse within the relationship.

  • Talk about the strong language in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?

  • The movie is about a younger man marrying an older woman. How did it compare to examples of younger women marrying older men in films/TV? Why do you think the latter is more common?

  • How was Washington portrayed in the movie? How did the political landscape that's painted compare to other films or TV shows?

  • The movie focused on pretence and reality. What techniques did it use to keep the "truth" just slightly out of grasp?

Movie Details

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