Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Strong performances, but play adaptation is too talky.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Miss Julie
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Over the course of a long midsummer's eve night in 1880s Ireland, MISS JULIE (Jessica Chastain) and John (Colin Farrell) flirt shamelessly, clearly attracted to each other, drawing ever closer. But it cannot be -- she's the baron's daughter, he's a servant in their household, and their interactions are all flavored by their unequal power dynamic. As they bristle under the strict class structure of their era, the hint of illicit interaction has already led to gossip in the village. Julie and John come up with a plot to run away together, but it's not clear whether either of them has the nerve to go through with it.
Is It Any Good?
The ferocity of Chastain's performance lifts Miss Julie somewhat -- as do, to a slightly lesser extent, the turns by Farrell and co-star Samantha Morton. But let's be honest: There's only so much an actor can do. Bound by a script and staging that give the movie a certain claustrophobia that stands up much better on stage than in celluloid, this overwrought drama doesn't quite take flight.
Despite its intimate setup -- there are only three characters -- it feels removed, with the feelings unfolding in every frame unable to mask a certain lack of groundedness. Watch it for the acting, but be prepared for your mind to wander. An August Strindberg play -- the original source material -- deserves more than this.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Miss Julie and John. Did their relationship have any chance, considering that her father's a nobleman and he's a servant? What does the movie have to say about social class?
Does this feel like a play or a movie? Can you tell that it's based on a stage play?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 5, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : May 5, 2015
- Cast : Colin Farrell , Jessica Chastain , Samantha Morton
- Director : Liv Ullmann
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Wrekin Hill Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 129 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mature thematic material involving sexuality, disturbing images, and language
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate