Tiny Furniture
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Slow drama about post-college life has sex, drinking, etc.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
Aura (Lena Dunham, who also wrote and directed) has just finished college and moved home to her family's New York loft to ... well, not do much. She's got no job, no plans, and few prospects. She goes to a few parties, gets a tedious job at a restaurant, and gets kind-of involved with a few guys who clearly aren't good boyfriend material. In short, she's drifting.
Is It Any Good?
TINY FURNITURE, like the character Aura, drifts. On one hand, this is a well-made, artistic portrayal of a girl who doesn't know what to do with herself. Aura, and the rest of the cast, seem very real, very natural. Every day, there are real twentysomethings behaving exactly like this.
But while this makes Tiny Furniture spot-on filmmaking, it doesn't make it particularly interesting to watch. Aura is bored with her life because there isn't much going on. And the film, for exactly the same reasons, is tedious.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Aura's life is portrayed. How realistic is it? Do you know anyone like Aura? How is her life similar to or different than other young adults you know?
Talk about Aura's romantic encounters. What does she learn about relationships and sex over the course of the movie?
Does the drug and alcohol use feel realistic? Do all young adults experiment with drugs? What are some consequences of drug and alcohol use?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 12, 2010
- On DVD or streaming: February 14, 2012
- Cast: Grace Dunham, Laurie Simmons, Lena Dunham
- Director: Lena Dunham
- Studio: Criterion Collection
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship
- Run time: 99 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 25, 2023
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