Parents' Guide to

Giants Being Lonely

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Atmospheric coming-of-age drama has sex, alcohol, abuse.

Movie NR 2021 81 minutes
Giants Being Lonely Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

Writer-director Grear Patterson's feature debut GIANTS BEING LONELY takes place in an unspecified rural Southern town where the high school baseball team is adored, particularly Giants pitcher Bobby White (Jack Irving), whose natural gifts on the mound make him not only popular but swoon-worthy to women of all ages. Adam (Ben Irving), meanwhile, is the hardworking relief pitcher who's kept on a tight leash by the team's coach, who seems firm but fair in public but is much darker at home. Bobby's home life is also complicated, thanks to his kind but alcohol-dependent father, but he enjoys flirting, bed-hopping between sexual partners, and generally being a golden boy. Both pitchers have a romantic connection to Caroline (Lucy Gavin), a wealthy classmate with parent issues of her own.

Is It Any Good?

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

This moody, atmospheric coming-of-age drama is reminiscent of the work of Sofia Coppola, Larry Clark, and Terrence Malick. In other words, characterization and cinematography take precedence over story and plot. Giants Being Lonely is the sort of movie that seems more likely to appeal to adults who appreciate independent cinema than actual teens, who might find it too introspective and without more than the barest of narrative threads. Patterson is already a critically acclaimed and well-connected millennial artist, and the cast is full of well-heeled 20-something artists, models, and friends of the filmmakers. One of the reasons it can be difficult to tell blond-and-bright-eyed Bobby and Adam apart is that actors Ben and Jack Irving are real-life brothers. And producer Olmo Schnabel's (son of celebrated painter-director Julian Schnabel) older sister plays Caroline's mother.

Despite the seemingly nepotistic hires, the movie effectively portrays snapshots of troubled teens' lives; they might have problems at home, but they can still figure out how to survive, seek pleasure, and show up for small moments of glory on the baseball field. Patterson cleverly introduces elements early on that come back into play later in the film. Mostly it's a collection of aesthetically beautiful shots -- of faces, of intimate romantic conversations, of these golden characters walking around. Giants Being Lonely is a poetic and intriguing, if not particularly original, film that will leave audiences talking about one particular scene. It's a promising if not extraordinary debut that should earn Patterson a second feature.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the moments of violence and abuse in Giants Being Lonely. Does violence involving children and teens have more impact on you than violence involving adults?

  • How does the movie depict drinking, drug use, smoking, and sex among teens? Are there consequences for any of this risky behavior? Why does that matter?

  • Discuss the relationships between adults and teens in the story. Are there any positive role models? How do the characters show the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and empathy?

Movie Details

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