Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Flawed, slow, but effective drama about racism, redemption.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Master Gardener
What's the Story?
In MASTER GARDENER, Narvel Roth (Joel Edgerton) is a horticulturalist in charge of Gracewood Gardens, an estate owned by wealthy Norma Haverhill (Sigourney Weaver). He lives a simple life, writing in his journal, working with his staff -- Xavier (Eduardo Losan), Maggie (Erika Ashley), Isobel (Victoria Hill), and John (Christian Freeman) -- and teaching them about the science and art of gardening. Occasional flashbacks and glimpses of some disturbing tattoos reveal a violent past that Narvel prefers to keep hidden. Then Norma's grandniece, Maya (Quintessa Swindell), whose mother has just died, comes to the Gardens, and Norma asks Narvel to take her on as an apprentice. Things seem to be going well until Maya has a violent encounter with someone from her old life, and Narvel's decision to do something about it begins to unravel his carefully manicured facade.
Is It Any Good?
Paul Schrader's drama touches on White supremacy in a fascinating yet troubling way, but its balancing act of tenderness and kindness -- and the way it lingers on the beauty of flora -- wins the day. Master Gardener doesn't reveal all of its information at once, and early images are disquieting, such as Norma's character (apparently) admiring Narvel's Nazi tattoos, or Narvel's unusual haircut, which resembles a German SS officer's from WWII. As the movie goes on, it becomes clear that Narvel is considered more or less reformed. His staff is diverse, and he appears to harbor no bigotry. By introducing Maya, Schrader intends to make it clear that Narvel is a changed person -- but the veteran filmmaker is also reaching into his own bag of tricks -- all the way back to Taxi Driver and Hardcore -- to tell a story about an older man coming to the "rescue" of a younger woman.
Schrader takes things between Narvel and Maya a little too far, a little too quickly, for comfort, while at the same time leaving out the throughline that would explain Narvel's turning away from a life of hate to a life of nurturing. So it all feels a little off-balance. Even so, Master Gardener is admirably delicate in the way it intertwines its characters around one another and subtly ties them into the themes of nature. We're a part of it, both as predictably and as unpredictably as any plant.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Master Gardener's depiction of drug and alcohol use. Is it glamorized? Are they abused? How so? Are there consequences? Why is that important?
Do you think Narvel finds redemption in the end? Why, or why not?
What is "White supremacy," and how does the movie depict it? What is the movie's ultimate message about race?
How do the themes of gardens, plants, and nature relate to the human themes in the movie?
How is sex depicted? What values are imparted?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 19, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : June 6, 2023
- Cast : Joel Edgerton , Sigourney Weaver , Quintessa Swindell
- Director : Paul Schrader
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Non-Binary Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Magnolia Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 111 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, brief sexual content and nudity
- Last updated : September 3, 2024
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