Parents' Guide to Small World

Parents need to know that Small World is a French drama, with English subtitles, about a handyman living with Alzheimer's, which results in childhood flashbacks and the revealing of long-kept secrets. Smoking is portrayed and characters are seen consuming alcohol, although drinking to excess is only referenced, not shown. Gerard Depardieu plays Konrad, whose illness leads to increasingly erratic behavior with characters reacting differently to his condition. Thomas (Niels Arestrup), the head of the wealthy family that Konrad works for, quickly becomes frustrated and intolerant of Konrad. However, Thomas' soon to be daughter-in-law, Simone (Alexandra Maria Lara), cares for Konrad and shows him empathy and compassion. Konrad himself is a sympathetic character but not a role model as such, because despite his kindly nature and because of his condition he increasingly lacks self-awareness. Konrad endangers himself on more than one occasion and becomes distressed in others, leading to a minor struggle and some peril. There is also one scene where a character's face is slapped and it causes a small nosebleed. The main family's wealth is reflected in their lifestyle -- characters attend and host lavish events, and are shown with expensive items. Sex is alluded to and heard rather than shown, with some on-screen kissing. There is no swearing, but dementia is stigmatized by some characters who refer to Konrad's condition using non-inclusive language. The movie is adapted from a book and also goes by its original title Je n'ai rien oublié.

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