Parents' Guide to

In a World...

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Indie comedy has positive messages amid language, sex.

Movie R 2013 93 minutes
In a World... Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 15+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 14+

Light and warm movie

The film is light and nice. The narration takes its time. Although such problems like generation gap, sexism and family-versus-career questions are raised here, they don’t look sharp and dramatic, but mix with funny (or not) casual everyday moments. There are neither moments of tense rat race, trainings and rehearsals nor loud fights and tears. But also, unfortunately, there’re really few professional voice-over moments, only at the culmination. Some plot lines that at first seemed typical become pretty surprising in a good sense. For example, the father’s young blond girlfriend rather successively (not without a little blackmail, ha-ha) tries to make sure his parental feelings towards his daughter are alive again. It’s funny to observe how the sort of “male solidarity” which takes place when the father supports some stupid guy instead of his own daughter breaks by the end of the film, while the female solidarity, vice versa, grows stronger. And the words that she got the place because she’s a woman but not for other reasons are remarkable. So, this movie is not about the girl who outperformed all the contestants, it’s more about different relationships. And yeah, the father is a jerk, he decides to take part in the competition only after he hears that his daughter is there and she actually can surpass him. But when I write it now I feel even more resentment, in the movie it maybe was smoothed by some joke or a charming situation. In short, the film left a good impression, but I don’t think I’ll watch it again.
age 15+

Bell impresses!

Lake Bell hasn't exactly found a true voice in cinema yet, but her writing/directing debut is a rather adorable piece of indie cinema, and the budget certainly reflects it! This micro budget comedy provides an insight into a field I'm very much interested in: the people whose voices enrich the screen and radio! Bell has some good quips and solid writing to her credit, but her golden voiced, sleazy father played by Fred Melamed steals an abundance of scenes!

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (1):

Bell makes a very promising feature writing and directing debut with IN A WORLD..., pulling herself out of mediocre movie parts by her own bootstraps. As a performer, she's spot-on, simultaneously goofy, charming, witty, slightly damaged, and yet sympathetic. Her screenplay hangs in there from sheer will alone, juggling many different subplots and themes, somehow keeping them all in the air.

As a director, her best aspect is this juggling act; she gives her actors plenty to do and keeps things moving at a good clip, while beautifully rendering the microcosm of the voiceover world. On paper there might just be one too many romantic or job-related crises, but she adds some easy one-liners or some extra beats, and things never get too hectic. And when Bell finally gets the chance to slip in some good, strong ideas, she does so with ease and grace. You just want to cheer for her.

Movie Details

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