Parents' Guide to

The Lookout

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Twisty heist flick is saved by star's performance.

Movie R 2007 99 minutes
The Lookout Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 3 parent reviews

MomNom
MomNom Parent of 12-year-old
February 7, 2016
age 15+

Engrossing Story of Choice and Consequence

I strongly believe that Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Leonardo DiCaprio are the two best actors of my generation, and The Lookout is a stellar example of Gordon-Levitt's remarkable talent. At first glance, the story appears straightforward: a young man who has suffered a traumatic brain injury is targeted by a local thug to be used by his crew and assist in a bank heist. But what takes this story from good to great is it's characters. (Saving to add more later...)

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
September 8, 2012
age 15+

Awesome film - just loved it!

I didn't know about this at all until recently, after watching several trailers it definitely caught my eye. I absolutely loved this film from start to finish! Never a dull moment, never boring. Very entertaining with a great storyline. I have to say that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is perfect in every way. I loved the atmosphere of the movie, it deals a lot with peer pressure and regret, it also has it's humorous side. Really liked Jeff Daniels role as Chris' blind friend - he kept things real and interesting. There is violence with a car crash leaving a character with a brain injury and killing his friends. Lots of shootings with gore. Violent acts. Thieves hold someone hostage. Lots of peer pressure, lying and betraying. Sexual content includes nudity (a guys butt shown and girls butt shown when she's laying in bed. Making out and touching. Two very minor/brief off-screen sex scenes which show nothing. Also some sexual language, one of which a woman writes "I cant' believe I f-ed Chris Pratt" in his notebook. Bar scenes with drinking, some marijuana use and an asthma inhaler used. I would highly recommend it to mature 16 and up.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Four years after a fatal prom-night accident, once popular athlete Chris (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) struggles just to get through his days. When erstwhile exotic dancer Luvlee (Isla Fisher) and a crew of aspiring bank robbers led by young thug Gary (Matthew Goode) recruit Chris, they give him what he thinks he's lost since the accident -- masculine community and sex with a girl -- as well as a break from his routine. Apparently lacking the capacity for self-reflection on top of everything else, Chris signs on.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (1 ):

As viewers are steps ahead of Chris by definition, this convoluted thriller's approximation of his self-storytelling method reveals itself right away. Gary and Luvlee are untrustworthy schemers, affiliated with a very grim-looking shooter named Bone (Greg Dunham, channeling Lance Henriksen), and true-blue Lewis is not only nosy and protective, but also vulnerable and loyal. None of this would be surprising in the standard heist movie, and it's not here.

This means that Gordon-Levitt has a lot of work to do, convincing viewers that Chris is processing his ordinary experiences in an extraordinary way. For the most part, he's up to it. Chris' awkward gait and puzzled face make his former life look long-lost and his current life nearly unfathomable. Until the movie loses its own way (a bloody retribution resolution falls flat), this young actor makes Chris' erratic efforts to read himself and his world look engaged and engaging.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether anyone in this movie can be considered a role model. Does Lewis provide a positive model for Chris? What about Chris' own father, who refuses to help him? Can what happens to Chris be considered a metaphor for how people change after high school? How does the movie compare his former happy life with his current limited and depressed existence?

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