Parents' Guide to

Murphy's Romance

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Winning, sweet-natured '80s romcom has profanity.

Movie PG-13 1985 107 minutes
Murphy's Romance Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

dvdgirl
dvdgirl Adult
October 5, 2020
age 10+

Has corey haim

Good enough movie.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Sally Field is Emma Moriarty, a scrappy single mom seeking a new life in a small town in Arizona in MURPHY'S ROMANCE. With her good-natured but sensitive son Jake (Corey Haim) in tow, Emma has purchased a dilapidated farmhouse and barn where she plans to make a living by boarding and training horses. She's good at it, but it's tough going; money is tight, but she's eager and hardworking. She only falls apart when it's absolutely necessary. When she meets Murphy Jones (James Garner), an older widower who seems to be a mainstay of the community, she makes her first friend. Emma and Jake are slowly becoming part of town life when Bobby Jack (Brian Kerwin), Emma's ex-husband and Jake's dad, roars onto the place. He's both charismatic and irresponsible, loving and a loser in equal measure. While Emma doesn't trust Bobby Jack, she's a soft touch, still susceptible to his boyish charm. She allows him to stay with them, faintly hoping that he's mended his immature ways. Emma's patience and her growing bond with Murphy are put to the test as Bobby Jack tries to win back his family.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

Sally Field and Jim Garner sparkle in this romantic comedy about two grown-ups finding love at an unexpected time in an unexpected place. Field made a substantial career by playing a feisty woman coming into her own, winning two Academy Awards. This movie is one of the rewards of her continued success. Slow, easy, and with grace, director Martin Ritt and company have created two believable people as they reach for joy and serenity in small-town America. The movie's not jokey-funny; the humor as well as the heart come from the characters. And there's no true villain; the conflict comes from within those characters. Original songs by Carole King set just the right tone. In spite of some salty language, the flash of a man's butt on the way to the shower, and occasional beer drinking, Murphy's Romance is a well-made, engaging romantic comedy that will appeal to mature tweens, teens, and adults, both male and female.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about "product placement" in films and television. When Murphy's Romance was made, Columbia Pictures was owned by the Coca-Cola Company. Did you notice how many times the drink was seen and mentioned? Why is it important for audiences to be aware that film can be used as a source of both direct and subliminal advertising?

  • This movie was given a PG-13 rating mostly because of profanity: There was swearing, and the word "f--k" was used once. Is profanity a factor in your family's decision about whether or not older kids and tweens can see a film? What other factors influence that decision?

  • In some romcoms, people fall in love "at first sight." How did the filmmakers build the characters of Emma and Murphy to make their relationship believable? Why does this believability enhance your enjoyment of and investment in the story?

  • How do the characters in Murphy's Romance demonstrate communication, teamwork, and courage? What about humility and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

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