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Parents' Guide to

Reservation Road

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Heartbreaking melodrama is too heavy for kids.

Movie R 2007 102 minutes
Reservation Road Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

When Ethan (Joaquin Phoenix, bearded to mask his boyish face) and Grace (Jennifer Connelly) lose their 10-year-old son in a horrific accident, their anguish seems insurmountable. Meanwhile, the driver, Dwight (Mark Ruffalo), also the father of a 10-year-old boy, battles his guilt even as he covers it up. Eventually, Ethan hires Dwight's law firm to help him track down the killer motorist.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Director Terry George is a master at conveying grief. But while the heart of the story -- how the two men, both caring fathers, drown in their feelings of guilt and anger -- is compelling and well acted, it's disappointing that Reservation Road doesn't delve further into the subtler ways their pain consumes them. Still, regardless of the film's overall merit, be prepared to cry ... a lot.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays the two father characters. Dwight seems like a great dad, but he's only recently gotten overnight visits with his son, and he doesn't turn himself into the police. Ethan is also a loving husband and father, but he allows his grief to turn to an overwhelming need for vengeance. How does the movie focus on the similarities between them? Also, the end of the film may seem unsettling to some audiences. What do you think happens?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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