Parents' Guide to The Unforgivable

Despite the gifted acting ensemble and promising initial premise, this post-prison drama's execution, plot line, and character development are disappointing. One of director Nora Fingscheidt's main missteps is that, in all the flashbacks, Bullock's Ruth is meant to be an older teen (it's never quite confirmed, but that's the implication) -- and even with a different haircut and good makeup, she looks much more like Katie's mother than her older sister. It's distracting and unnecessary when you consider how many films successfully feature two different actors playing young and older versions of the same character. Another overarching problem is that Ruth's singular goal -- reconnecting with Katie -- starts off as relatable but eventually veers into obsessive territory. Although we're meant to be sympathetic to Ruth, she doesn't really grow. But her lack of considerable growth isn't as bad as the late sheriff's sons, one of whom takes such a dramatic heel turn that the twist is unbelievable (and that's not even the movie's most implausible reveal).

All of the actors do their best with their roles, and it's obvious that Bullock is committed to her performance, but the script by Peter Craig, Hillary Seitz, and Courtenay Miles doesn't provide the ensemble with well-rounded, nuanced characters. Jon Bernthal stands out as Ruth's romantically interested co-worker who's so kind that she doesn't know how to process his behavior. Rob Morgan is underused as the parole officer who tries to keep Ruth on the right track. And Aisling Franciosi -- so memorable in The Nightingale -- barely speaks as grown-up Katherine, a pianist suffering from suppressed memories and the trauma of what she and her sister survived. The transcendent nature of family bonds is the drama's most lasting message, but even that's a mixed bag, considering how the brothers' relationship is stained by violence and vengeance. Bullock continues to be one of the best known and liked actors in Hollywood, but this isn't one of her memorable films.