Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Nostalgic travel comedy has grief, language, sex references.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Off the Rails
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In OFF THE RAILS, Liz (Sally Phillips), Kate (Jenny Seagrove), and Cassie (Kelly Preston) promise to fulfill a friend's dying wish by recreating a trip across Europe they took when they were younger. Only this time they must also take their friend's daughter, Maddie (Elizabeth Dormer-Phillips), with them.
Is It Any Good?
This is a sweet and charming movie that requires an uncynical eye in order to enjoy. There's no escaping the fact that Off the Rails is flawed and that's an understatement. Some of the dialogue is clunky, and the frustrating inclination to throw in drama is contrived and often unnecessary. So much seems to happen to this group, and it all just becomes so unbelievable, and distracting. It's hard not to wish they had more faith in the characters, the story, and the profound themes being explored, so as not to need all the silly sub-plots.
Yet despite these issues, Off the Rails' heart is in the right place, and there's something moving about the general exploration of time and how cruel it can be. Yet it doesn't ever feel dour. Rather it's an upbeat celebration of life. There is an added poignancy given the real-life passing of Preston, making her scenes hard to watch at times. There's also a really brilliant and moving sequence at the start where Judi Dench delivers a powerhouse performance, in less than five minutes of screen-time. Fans of Blondie will also be pleased to hear that they comprise the entire film's soundtrack.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how friendship is portrayed in Off the Rails. What made the friends so close? Did it seem like a realistic portrayal? Talk about your own friendships. What do you like about them?
Discuss how the movie presented drinking and smoking. Did you think any of the characters drank too much? Were there consequences for what they did?
How was sex portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Discuss the strong language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 10, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : February 1, 2022
- Cast : Kelly Preston , Sally Phillips , Judi Dench
- Director : Jules Williamson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Screen Media Films
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship , Holidays
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some language
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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