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Parents' Guide to

Louder Than Words

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Earnest family drama about coping with tragedy is very sad.

Movie PG-13 2014 95 minutes
Louder Than Words 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?

At 13, Maria Fareri (Olivia Steele-Falconer) considers herself "the glue" of her well-to-do family. Everyone, including her older triplet half-siblings, as well as her mom and dad, counts on her spirit and her love. So when Maria is stricken with a mysterious illness just after the three older kids leave for college, the family is devastated. It quickly becomes clear that she can't be saved; Maria dies with her family at her bedside in a crowded, cheerless hospital. The tragedy finds each of Maria's family members desperately trying to deal with his or her own grief. Dad John (David Duchovny) and mom Brenda (Hope Davis) forget how to connect with one another, and the siblings lose their way as well. Uncommunicative and isolated, John envisions a memorial to his beloved daughter: He wants to build a children's hospital in Maria's name, one that will offer kids and families bright surroundings and pleasurable experiences despite its disheartening purpose. It's only when the family reunites to help John realize his vision that they find a chance to renew their strong bond and accomplish a small miracle.

Is It Any Good?

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

Sad much of the time, uplifting in a few victorious moments, this movie is OK viewing for families and teens. It's difficult for one film to capture the emotional journey of five family members, as well as tell the story of the dad's quest to build a hospital in memory of his daughter. And when the filmmakers also attempt to provide a meaningful portrayal of the child who dies, some things are sure to be given short shrift. No one can fault the film's intent or the effort of director Anthony Fabian, his screenwriter, and the actors involved. There are very touching moments, sincere suggestions of the gradual resurgence of life in a family after the tragedy, and a lovely, heartfelt performance by Davis.

But too much is expected. LOUDER THAN WORDS barely registers the complex feelings of the family's three college-aged kids, and the inclusion of repetitive fund-raising efforts on behalf "Maria's" hospital feels extraneous and obvious. Much surer hands were needed to give this movie the spirit and heft the filmmakers wanted it to have.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Louder Than Words uses flashbacks and voice-over narration to reveal Maria's character. Why do you think the filmmakers chose these techniques? Were they successful?

  • This movie has a twofold purpose: to watch the Fareri family coming back together after Maria's death and to detail the origins of The Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. Do you think the two parts were tied together effectively? Why or why not?

  • What does the title Louder Than Words mean in this story? Talk about the specific examples that the filmmakers use to demonstrate the title's meaning.

Movie Details

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