Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

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Parents' Guide to

Grace Unplugged

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Predictable prodigal daughter tale with Christian message.

Movie PG 2014 95 minutes
Grace Unplugged Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 10+
age 11+

Nice Themes

Very nice movie, but I wouldn't recommend for younger than 11. There is some drinking, but it doesn't encourage it, and there is a hookup between the main character and an actor who just wants sex from her. In the end, the girl decides that it is not the life she wants to live.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

If you don't mind the predictable plot twists, this is a feel-good tale about the power of faith and family. It's a classic "prodigal son" story but with a daughter and no faithful older sibling to contrast with her rebellion. Instead, the movie features two steadfast Christian teens to act as her foil: Grace's best friend Rachel (Jamie Grace) -- who doesn't understand why she complains about her caring parents and wonderful life -- and Quentin, the record-label intern who encourages Grace to stick to her beliefs. The movie really lays on the melodrama: Grace can't seem to have a leveled conversation with her dad without devolving into a whiny, diva-ish brat; and later Grace doesn't have any real friends (including her lantern-jawed celebrity boyfriend) in LA, which might as well be Sodom and Gomorrah the way it's portrayed in the drama.

Eventually, as in the Biblical parable, Grace finds her way -- humbled and true of heart -- back to her forgiving parents. The problem is, in the end, she doesn't really suffer any consequences from her decisions. Everything is far better than it was when she was being rebellious. And that's an overly simplistic message to send. It would have been preferable for her to end up like her father -- satisfied performing at church instead of being tempted to contradict her beliefs. Still, the happy ending is pretty welcome after a second act full of so much eye-rollingly obvious anti-Hollywood drama like her being asked to pose for a sexy album cover, record a suggestive single, and perform at bars.

Movie Details

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