One More Time

Movie review by Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media
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Common Sense says

age 15+

Father-daughter dramedy has mature themes, swearing.

NR 2016 98 minutes
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that One More Time (which is also known as When I Live My Life Over Again) is a dramedy starring Christopher Walken that addresses mature issues including adultery, substance abuse, neglectful parenting, rampant narcissism, and self-sabotage. Adults smoke marijuana and cigarettes and drink alcohol. There's no nudity, but porn and affairs are referenced, an underwear-clad woman is seen, and pictures of nude women on playing cards are glimpsed from far as a man plays with his 8-year-old grandson. Strong language includes "f--k," "s--t," "c--t," "a--hole," "t--s," and "screw."

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What's the Story?

Jude (Amber Heard), a pink-haired, post-punk singer, is enmeshed in self-sabotage: sleeping with strangers, having an affair with her married therapist, and, most poisonously, harboring anger and resentment toward her egomaniacal father, Paul (Christopher Walken), a once-famous romantic crooner who's seeking a comeback. The title ONE MORE TIME embodies Paul's desperation to live the high life again and also refers to the Jude's chance to start again after shedding the protective coat that blaming her father has provided all her life. The movie interweaves and contrasts the regrets and yearnings of a man nearing the end of his life and those of a woman really trying to get hers started.

Is It Any Good?

In many ways, this compelling film works, despite seemingly stock characters and predictable worst-case scenarios. After all, it centers on an oblivious, ego maniac showbiz dad who missed his daughters' birthdays and viewed them as extensions of himself to ignore at will, who cheated on all his wives, and who still craves the spotlight and tosses out hurtful and insensitive criticism. But writer-director Robert Edwards uses the clichés to good effect. He builds a case for those who've been wronged to cast aside resentment and anger, accept the damage others may have done to you, and get on with your life anyway.

The writing is intelligent, although the characters often sound too much like each other (witty, sarcastic and jaded), to the point that you can't help imagining they all represent the writer's personality, rather than distinct fictional people. Nevertheless, Walken and Heard remind us with persuasive performances that clichés do occur in real life, and it's some people's misfortune to either be one or to have one for a parent.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how One More Time portrays pot smoking and drinking. Are there consequences? Why does that matter?

  • What does the movie want viewers to think about a 30-year-old who blames her father for a terrible childhood? Do we empathize with her? Feel sorry for her? Are we meant to? How is he presented?

  • Who do you think the movie is intended to appeal to? How can you tell?

Movie Details

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