Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Biopic of famous painter is well-acted but slow moving.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mr. Turner
What's the Story?
Director Mike Leigh's biopic MR. TURNER traces the last few decades in the life of acclaimed English painter J.M.W. Turner. While Turner was renowned for his Romantic landscapes, which heralded the burgeoning Impressionist movement, actor Timothy Spall explores the artist's personal side, offering up a portrait of a boorish, complicated brute who barely speaks, abandons his children, takes advantage of his housekeepers, maligns his fellow painters, and is mostly unlikable -- except when he is. He's dedicated to his paintings, but the pursuit of art is much more straightforward than his relationships.
Is It Any Good?
Mr. Turner is a visually arresting movie that exceeds expectations when it comes to exploring and presenting the great painter's art, suffusing it with the light and energy his work is known for. However, the film confounds in its portrayal of the man. No doubt much of this has to do with Turner himself, whose complicated, difficult childhood produced a complicated, difficult man. But it also has something to do with how he's written. Spall is a delight as the crude, eccentric Turner, but he's also opaque, delighting with specificities but falling short when it comes to making the artist reachable.
This, perhaps, has to do with the story itself, which has flashes of humor and historic insight, ably shepherded by Leigh, but goes on for too long, weighing down a fascinating film about a fascinating man and leaving it wanting. Similarly to how Turner communicates, less would have been more.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the artist J.M.W. Turner. What did you learn about his life from Mr. Turner? Were you aware of him before seeing the movie? How accurate do you think the film is? Why might filmmakers tweak the facts in movies based on true stories?
What do you think about the way the film approaches its subject? Did the pacing help you appreciate the languid act of creating art? How does Spall bring the character to life?
How is sex depicted in the movie? Is it romantic? What function does it serve for the characters?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 19, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : May 5, 2015
- Cast : Timothy Spall , Paul Jesson , Dorothy Atkinson
- Director : Mike Leigh
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Classics
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts , History
- Run time : 149 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some sexual content
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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