Common Sense Media Review
Elegant adaptation of classic novel has mature themes.
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Of Mice and Men
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 35 kid reviews
Kids say the film is a heartfelt adaptation of the classic novel that strongly conveys themes of friendship, dreams, and the harsh realities of life during the Great Depression, though it comes with significant mature content including strong language and violence. Many viewers commend the emotional portrayal of characters, especially the bond between the two leads, but caution that its intense scenes might not be suitable for younger audiences.
- friendship
- mature content
- emotional portrayal
- harsh realities
- age recommendation
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In this adaptation of John Steinbeck's Depression-era classic, migrant farm workers George (Gary Sinise) and Lennie (John Malkovich) travel together, hoping that one day, when they've got enough money saved up, they'll buy a little place of their own and live off the fat of the land, and Lennie will get to tend the rabbits. Lennie likes soft things: rabbits, mice, puppies. He's a simpleton, a big powerful child, and soft things excite him. That excitement usually leads to trouble, and that trouble keeps them moving. George and Lennie flee to another in a series of ranches, where trouble is quick to present itself. First, there's the boss' son, Curley (Casey Siemaszko), a little guy who hates big guys. But then there's also Curley's wife (Sherilyn Fenn), a lonely girl looking for attention. When Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, the two friends' dream crumbles, and George is forced into a devastating decision.
Is It Any Good?
OF MICE AND MEN is a modest, sincere adaptation of John Steinbeck's Depression-era classic, a must-see for both teens and parents. Bringing John Steinbeck's heartrending short novel to the screen is a difficult task, in large part because of the often parodied character of Lennie (think of the lumbering Warner Bros. cartoon dog who called everyone George and had a special fondness for Bugs -- "I will love him and I will pet him...").
As caricature has a tendency to overshadow character, John Malkovich's performance may be a bit jarring. His Lennie isn't a comical simpleton or a mere child in a grown man's body. There are layers of complexity to him, and yearning, not only to tend the rabbits but to be good and to please his friend. It's a difficult role, and Malkovich forgoes sentiment to make it both tragic and very real. The on-screen chemistry between the stars, Sinise's surefooted directing, and a faithful-to-the-novel script by Horton Foote all are factors that contribute to Of Mice and Men's success.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the movie was true to the book, where it differed, and why.
Do movies usually do justice to books? Which do you usually prefer?
What would be the challenges in adapting a classic novel into a movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 2, 1992
- On DVD or streaming : March 4, 2003
- Cast : Alexis Arquette , Gary Sinise , John Malkovich
- Director : Gary Sinise
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Transgender Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , History
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some scenes of violence
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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