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Parents' Guide to

Maggie's Plan

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Quirky, talky indie comedy about love, life has some edge.

Movie R 2016 108 minutes
Maggie's Plan 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?

In MAGGIE'S PLAN, Maggie (Greta Gerwig) is a single thirtysomething New Yorker who wants to be a mom more than anything, so she's arranging a sperm donation. Meanwhile, she works in academia, supporting artists by helping them find funding -- and hopefully commercial success. So it's no surprise when she finds herself playing the same role in her personal life to ficto-critical anthropology professor John Harding (Ethan Hawke), who -- despite having earned respect in his field -- longs to publish a novel. John's married-with-children to brilliant Danish professor Georgette (Julianne Moore), but he and Maggie fall in love, have a baby, and, three years later, find themselves in the same rut that undid his first marriage. And now Maggie's not sure that being with John is her destiny after all, so she hatches her titular plan...

Is It Any Good?

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

This movie is sometimes maddening and not wholly original (Woody Allen has trodden this path before), but it's funny and fresh in the best ways that an indie comedy can be. Gerwig is key to selling Maggie's Plan's so-wacky-it's-almost-annoying premise; charming and empathetic, her performance is grounded in a genuineness many actresses can't pull off. The entire ensemble performs well, despite some artificial-sounding dialogue from writer-director Rebecca Miller. That said, Miller does manage to capture the narcissism and self-destruction that afflicts even those with the best intentions.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's take on marriage and its ups and downs. Does it seem realistic? How do the different characters view marriage and commitment?

  • Kids play an important role in Maggie's Plan. How do they influence/affect the main characters? How are they a reflection (or not) of what's happening in their parents' lives? Do you think the film presents an accurate view of what it means to be a parent?

  • What does Maggie mean when she says she wants to "live honestly"? Is she a role model? Why or why not? Is anyone else?

  • The movie has a lot of swearing. What role does strong language have in storytelling?

Movie Details

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