Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cliched but entertaining thriller; sex, violence, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pacific Heights
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In PACIFIC HEIGHTS, Patty (Melanie Griffith) and her boyfriend Drake (Matthew Modine) move in together, pushing their finances to the limit to renovate a large home. To make ends meet, they advertise for lodgers. But when Carter (Michael Keaton) shows up to rent a unit, things start to go horribly wrong, putting not only their dream future but also their very lives at risk.
Is It Any Good?
Twenty years after his Oscar win for Midnight Cowboy, director John Schlesinger helmed this entertaining but generic psychological thriller. Pulling from the tropes of Single White Female and Fatal Attraction, Pacific Heights is a creepy, stalkerish movie that relies heavily on the unpleasantness of Keaton's central villain to really make an impact. It's full of hackneyed conventions and cliches, but manages to heighten the tension enough to maintain momentum as the loved-up young couple (Griffith and Modine) gradually descend into a pit of anger and despair, while Keaton's Carter only seems to gather strength from his misdeeds. The ending is satisfying, though leaves some question as to exactly what the deal is with Carter. But fans of the genre will likely enjoy the familiar formula and Keaton's delightfully malicious turn in particular.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the concept of revenge in Pacific Heights. How did Patty and Drake attempt to get Carter out of their home and why do you think Patty didn't feel satisfied with the initial outcome? What do you think the movie says about how it feels to take revenge and whether some people are deserving of vengeful acts?
The film brings up the difference between what is morally right and wrong, and what is right and wrong in a legal sense. How did the law protect or fail to protect characters in the movie?
Talk about the film's violence. Was it shocking? Thrilling? Both? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
There's lots of strong language used in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this? If so, why?
How did the movie portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 28, 1990
- On DVD or streaming : June 1, 2004
- Cast : Melanie Griffith , Matthew Modine , Michael Keaton
- Director : John Schlesinger
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 25, 2024
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