Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent cult thriller has strong language, sex, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
True Romance
What's the Story?
TRUE ROMANCE tells the story of newlywed couple Clarence (Christian Slater) and Alabama (Patricia Arquette) who attempt an unlikely drug deal.
Is It Any Good?
This Quentin Tarantino-penned crime thriller rode the wave of its writer's rapid ascent in the early 1990s to attract an all-star crew and cast. Drawn to the rising star's ability to mix quotable dialogue with dazzlingly violent set pieces, action veteran Tony Scott expertly directs this gonzo tale, with enduring turns from Slater and Arquette as True Romance's lead roles. While there's more than a hint of adolescent wish-fulfillment in Slater's comic book nerd Clarence's wooing of Arquette's Alabama, a self-identifying "call girl" with a fierce spirit and a heart of gold, the film commits to its wild ride so unapologetically it's easy to see why its fans were so willing to be drawn into its pulpy, day-glo world.
Joining the party for brief but memorable cameos are all of Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, and Brad Pitt. These stars pooling their considerable talents only add to the dizzying pace of a movie that moves quickly across its two-hour runtime, heading full-steam to a chaotic but unforgettable finale. While it might not have garnered the same critical praise as the Tarantino-helmed Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, True Romance has a charm of its own, which makes it impossible not to love.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in True Romance. Was it shocking? Thrilling? What consequences were there? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How were drinking, smoking, and drugs portrayed? Were there consequences? Did it glamorize them?
How did the movie portray sex and relationships? Was Clarence and Alabama's relationship affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 10, 1993
- On DVD or streaming : September 24, 2002
- Cast : Christian Slater , Patricia Arquette , Dennis Hopper
- Director : Tony Scott
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 119 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence and language, and for sexuality and drug use
- Last updated : December 5, 2023
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