Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Endearing, mild coming-of-age tale in 1920s Scotland.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
My Life So Far
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Fraser Pettigrew is a tween boy growing up on Kiloran, a vast estate ruled over by his stern, but loving grandmother in 1920s Scotland in MY LIFE SO FAR. His slightly eccentric inventor father (Colin Firth) is devoted to the family, but often clashes with Fraser's wealthy businessman uncle (Malcolm McDowell), who has very different views about how to run the estate. These adult conflicts are seen from Fraser's childlike perspective, and over the course of the film he gradually starts to understand more of the situations.
Is It Any Good?
My Life So Far is a charming film, filled with entertaining characters and beautiful vistas. Fraser is an endearing lad and he gets plenty of good lines as he struggles to understand the complexities of adulthood. It's fun to watch.
What it lacks is a compelling plot. It's staged more as a series of vaguely connected vignettes that paint a realistic picture of a family, but don't necessarily make for much of a story. The film moves from one incident to another, introduces one conflict then resolves it and moves on. And then finally it just stops. It feels like the film is just tagging along for a ride rather than watching a well-thought-out movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about coming-of-age movies. What do they all have in common? What would be your coming-of-age story? Are there any great growing up books that would make a good movie?
How realistic does this movie feel? Can you relate to the boy's situations despite the time and place differences?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 20, 2011
- Cast : Colin Firth , Malcolm McDowell , Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
- Director : Hugh Hudson
- Studio : Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual content, including some nude pictures
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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