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Parents' Guide to

The Pebble and the Boy

By Tom Cassidy, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Sweary coming-of-age drama has violence, alcohol, and drugs.

Movie NR 2021 101 minutes
The Pebble and the Boy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • The Pebble and the Boy Movie: Scene #1
  • The Pebble and the Boy Movie: Scene #2
  • The Pebble and the Boy Movie: Scene #3

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What's the Story?

In THE PEBBLE AND THE BOY, 19-year-old John (Patrick McNamee) takes his father's scooter from Manchester to Brighton -- the spiritual home of the "Mods" -- to scatter his ashes. It's a journey where secrets about John's dad are discovered and new friendships are formed.

Is It Any Good?

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

Fans of Paul Weller and The Jam will enjoy this coming-of-age drama's soundtrack. Writer-director Chris Green is clearly a fan, as all of the characters in The Pebble and The Boy vocally share their admiration for the man known as "The Modfather." However, it would take a die-hard Weller fan to overlook the problems with the movie. It's clear to see what the film is trying to do. But the execution falters at almost every turn. In the lead roles as young John and Nicki, actors McNamee and Sacha Parkinson do a good job with the shoddy material. Yet beyond that the acting teeters between televisual and amateur, sometimes landing on just plain bad.

Watching smaller budget movies, concessions are easily made for sets, acting, and filming techniques -- if the idea or the story is good enough. Here, a half-baked coming-of-age road movie with soap opera sensibilities doesn't have enough to carry it. So when a waiter delivers two takeaway coffees and the characters immediately leave without taking them, it's another overlooked annoyance to add to the pile. Ultimately the film aims high and means well, but in the end it's just froth for enthusiastic Weller fans or obsessives of the Mod culture.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the strong language used in The Pebble and the Boy. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?

  • Discuss how drinking and drug use were depicted. Were they glamorized? Did the characters need to do these things to look cool? What were the consequences?

  • Discuss the violence in the movie. Did you find any scenes particularly difficult to watch? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

  • The movie features a number of product placements and plugs the music of singer Paul Weller. Why must we be aware of this type of advertising in movies? How kids can resist advertising and be smart consumers.

  • Before the movie, had you heard of the "Mods?" Can you think of any other subcultures? What is the appeal of dressing the same way as others and feeling part of a group?

Movie Details

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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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