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Parents' Guide to

The Confirmation

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Drama, humor mix as dad sobers up to be with his young son.

Movie PG-13 2016 90 minutes
The Confirmation Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Ron T.
Ron T. Adult
May 2, 2021
age 13+

A good movie for examining moral dilemmas, not a fairy tale.

Yes, there is cursing and some violence in this movie. It's about working class people, alcoholism and divorce. It's not a Disney movie about Unicorns and Fairies. Maybe if people watched the whole movie, not the first 15 minutes they would know that. Remember, Jesus ate amongst the Sinners. Luke 15:1–2 records, "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'"

This title has:

Great messages
DrJohn G.
DrJohn G. Parent
April 14, 2017
age 8+

A Father's Love Gives Him Strength to Overcome

This is a heartwarming story about a good man who was broken by divorce but found the courage to overcome out of love for his son. It illustrates the importance of fathers in their sons' lives, and a way to be masculine but kind and loving. There are so many good messages and lessons in this film. It is exactly the kind I want my kids to see - I wish there were more like it.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE CONFIRMATION is a title with double meaning -- it refers both to an 8-year-old boy's upcoming religious rite of passage and to a new assurance that, despite his parents' divorce, he'll be able to have a relationship with his father. With his mom, Bonnie (Maria Bello), away, Anthony (Jaeden Lieberher) must spend the weekend with his dad, Walt (Clive Owen), an out-of-work carpenter with an alcohol problem. Bonnie has threatened to deny visitation rights if Walt doesn't stop drinking, so, on their first night together, Anthony watches his father go cold turkey, observing but not understanding the accompanying shakes, sweats, and hallucinations. Though only a boy, Anthony believes that in some sense he has to be the grown-up, taking care of and protecting his father. Over the course of the weekend, Walt shows his son how to fix things and teaches him the value of good tools. When Walt's prized tools -- which were given to him by his father, underscoring the film's emphasis on the importance of the father-son relationship -- are stolen, Walt and Anthony collaborate to get them back, which cements their bond.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Parts of this movie are grim, sad, and difficult to watch, but the filmmakers skillfully find humor and resolution as Walt and Anthony find their way toward each other. Nobody is perfect in The Confirmation, and that may be the point. The bright and somewhat literal-minded boy (a riveting performance by Lieberher) questions all assumptions, which makes for amusing and well-written dialogue. Sent to confession with an annoyed priest, he bridles when the priest calls him "son." "I'm not your son," the boy replies, stating a fact without a hint of snark. In another scene, Walt and Anthony watch a TV show in which a son asks his father, "What's a hussy?" and the father feebly attempts to reply without any sexual references, which just confuses the boy more. One of the movie's earnest themes is to illustrate the way adults try to explain the nearly inexplicable complexities of a grown-up world without destroying a child's innocence.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the dad is portrayed in The Confirmation. Does the movie want you to view him as a villain, or is he sympathetic?

  • How is drinking portrayed? Are the consequences realistic? Do you think the movie could help people understand the difficulties faced by children whose parents have substance problems?

  • The mother seems angry at the dad. But how does the movie show that she also has empathy for him? Why is that an important character strength?

  • Can you think of other movies that deal with the father-son relationship? What do they have in common? How are they different?

  • How does Anthony demonstrate compassion and courage despite his circumstances?

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