Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Offbeat dramedy has mature themes, some swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Paddleton
What's the Story?
Two best friends, Andy (Ray Romano) and Michael (Mark Duplass), spend almost every leisure moment with one another in PADDLETON. Both basically loners at heart, they are content to share pizza, a kung fu movie they know from memory, and "Paddleton" -- a racket game they love to play. When Michael is given a diagnosis of terminal cancer, their small but satisfying world is upended. Michael decides that rather than endure a lengthy, painful decline, he wants to end his life on his own terms. He asks Andy to help with a legal assisted suicide. Reluctantly at first, then fully committed, Andy agrees. The men take an affecting overnight road trip to obtain the drugs they will need, and then prepare to carry out Michael's plan.
Is It Any Good?
Understated, with a low-keyed improvisational style, Ray Romano and Mark Duplass deliver complex, heartfelt performances in a simple story that defines an authentic friendship and intimate loss. With its leisurely pace, droll humor, and focus on two men who may be initially categorized as "losers," Paddleton may not appeal to all audiences. But Alex Lehmann and the two actors accomplish the rare feat of turning those antisocial underachievers into sympathetic, even heroic men. Ray Romano continues to delight in a role that capitalizes on his comic skills and reveals that he's a gifted actor as well.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the fact that at the time of Paddleton's release, assisted suicide is a controversial topic. How did this film deal with the subject? Did Michael's decision feel justified? Acceptable? Moral? In what ways, if any, did this movie change your ideas or attitudes?
Movies can usually be divided into three classifications: character-driven, plot-driven, or action-driven. Define each of these genres (i.e., what makes a movie "action-driven"?). Into which category does Paddleton fall? Explain.
Find out the meaning of film and theatrical term "two-hander." What makes Paddleton basically a two-hander?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 22, 2019
- Cast : Ray Romano , Mark Duplass
- Director : Alex Lehmann
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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