Parents' Guide to

The Young Kieslowski

By Amanda Nojadera, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Frustrating teen-pregnancy comedy takes male perspective.

Movie R 2015 94 minutes
The Young Kieslowski Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

In THE YOUNG KIESLOWSKI, Brian Kieslowski (Ryan Malgarini) and Leslie Mallard (Haley Lu Richardson) are both smart, awkward freshmen at CalTech. They meet at a party one night and discover that they're both virgins; after a drunken hook up, Brian is relieved to remove the giant "Never Been Laid" sign hanging over his head ... until Leslie tells him she's pregnant with twins. As the teens discuss their options and figure out how to tell their parents, Brian must decide whether he's ready to commit to Leslie and accept the responsibilities of fatherhood.

Is It Any Good?

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

Sure, the film isn't afraid to discuss abortion or the inevitable fears and insecurities of teen pregnancy, but it's frustrating to see Brian make decisions without considering the consequences. An awkward miscommunication leads Leslie to believe that Brian's ready to be a dad, but sarcastic and sometimes cynical voiceovers reveal Brian's true feelings. His admission that he's a terrible person -- combined with both insincere speeches pledging support and immature actions like having sex with another girl instead of helping Leslie move into his dorm -- make it difficult to feel sympathy for Brian.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about The Young Kieslowski's messages. Do you think it's trying to persuade viewers to feel one way or the other about Leslie's decisions?

  • Movies sometimes use humor to tackle difficult subjects. In what way does this film do so, and is it successful?

  • How does the movie handle drinking and smoking? How does it handle sex? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values on these topics.

Movie Details

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