Trumbo Movie Poster Image

Trumbo

age 16+
(i)

 

Entertaining Hollywood story has important history lesson.
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  • Review Date: November 6, 2015
  • Rated: R
  • Genre: Drama
  • Release Year: 2015
  • Running Time: 124 minutes

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What parents need to know

Positive messages

Uses historical events (the Communist Witch Hunts, the House Un-American Activities Committee, the Hollywood Ten, and the blacklist) to raise issues that are important to remember and discuss, i.e. why it's wrong to persecute people for having unpopular beliefs or force them to choose between doing the right thing and protecting their livelihoods and families.

Positive role models

Trumbo is a complex character, fighting against the blacklist in whatever ways he can, though he's far from perfect, and others disagree with his methods.

Violence

Arguing, shouting. A secondary character threatens another with a baseball bat, smashing windows and objects.

Sex

Main character is naked, but only his bottom is shown. Some sexual references.

Language

Infrequent language includes uses of "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "p---y," and "Jesus Christ" (as an exclamation). Some ethnic slurs.

Consumerism
Not applicable
Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Regular smoking by many characters (accurate for the era). Main character drinks whisky heavily in the latter part of the movie and takes Benzedrine.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Trumbo is a biographical drama about screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston), who was branded a Communist in the 1950s, served jail time, and was blacklisted. The movie offers a powerful, important history lesson for teens who might not otherwise know about this period. Language is the biggest issue, with several (but by no means constant) uses of "f--k" and "s--t," plus "a--hole" and "p---y." The main character is seen naked, but nothing other than his bottom is shown. There are also some sexual references. Violence isn't really an issue, but there is some arguing and shouting, plus a scene in which a man threatens another with a baseball bat, smashing windows and nearby objects. Expect lots of period-accurate cigarette smoking, and lots of whisky drinking (and pill taking) by the main character.

What's the story?

In 1947, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) is wealthy and respected. And then rumblings about his affiliation with the Communist Party begin to spread through Hollywood. Questioned by the House Un-American Activities Committee, Trumbo is arrested, and -- along with nine colleagues -- blacklisted from working. After serving jail time, Trumbo writes Roman Holiday, and his friend Ian McLellan Hunter (Alan Tudyk) acts as a "front" to help sell it. Trumbo also goes to work for low-budget producer Frank King (John Goodman), while his relationships with his wife (Diane Lane), family, and friends -- including Arlen Hird (Louis C.K.) and Edward G. Robinson (Michael Stuhlbarg) -- are tested. Then, in 1960, two big movies come along that will change everything.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

This biopic could have fallen into all the usual traps, but Jay Roach directs John McNamara's smart, witty screenplay with a light touch, and the finished movie is both entertaining and educational. Set between the 1940s and the 1960s, TRUMBO could have been a mere collection of highlights, but the filmmakers manage to create a vivid gallery of colorful supporting characters who all contribute equally; in the lead, Cranston is marvelous -- with an endless flow of crystalline dialogue -- but it's not just a one-man show.

Better still, Trumbo deftly tells the story of the Communist witch hunts in a way that acknowledges their complexities and gray areas while still labeling them, on the whole, as an act of pure evil. Roach gets this message across with a minimum of preaching but still strongly enough to ignite passions. Yet the most memorable parts are the movie's many laughs, as Trumbo wryly regards the various situations he finds himself in.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about the Communist fears and accusations of the 1950s. Who were the victims? How accurate do you think Trumbo is to what actually happened? Why might filmmakers choose to tweak the facts when making a movie based on a true story?

  • How does the movie make you feel about Dalton Trumbo? Is he a hero? A role model? Do you want to see more of his movies or read his writing?

  • How does the movie portray smoking, alcohol, and drugs? Are they glamorized or simply part of the period setting?

  • How does the movie deal with those who "named names"? How do we feel about them? Why do we feel that way?

Movie details

Theatrical release date:November 6, 2015
DVD release date:February 16, 2016
Cast:Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren
Director:Jay Roach
Studio:Bleecker Street
Genre:Drama
Topics:History
Run time:124 minutes
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:language including some sexual references

This review of Trumbo was written by

Jeffrey M. Anderson
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Quality

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging; great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging; good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging; good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging; OK learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parent Written bySarasota Joe February 16, 2016
age 12+

Dramatic Story. Important history.

I find it ridiculous that this movie is rated R for language, yet my child is encouraged by the MPAA to live on a steady diet of violence in PG-13 films. This is an excellent film, without special effects, decapitations, or zombies. For a kid used to post-apocalyptic nightmares, this truly historical nightmare might seem benign in comparison, but any kid who understands that The Hunger Games is not so much a film about kids killing each other as a film about totalitarianism will probably get caught up in the drama. My 12 year old loved it, and I found nothing in it to concern me.
What other families should know
Great messages
Too much swearing
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Adult Written byBestPicture1996 December 18, 2015
age 15+

Rousing showbiz romp with stellar cast

I loved the ensemble and most of the writing in Jay Roach's "Trumbo." What a life the real Dalton Trumbo lived: to be able to create these wonderful characters and movies, win two Oscars and...well if I say anymore it'll spoil those walking fresh into the movie like I was. While there are several instances of swearing, and there's a hardly a scene where you don't catch Trumbo puffing a cigarette (very era appropriate), this is a great movie about kids sticking to their beliefs. The word "communism" will always have a negative connotation to it, but the political party itself won't matter to kids, because Trumbo wasn't hurting anyone, and the fact that he endured all he did (I would lose my MIND if I had to give up getting an Oscar at the ceremony TWICE) and still came out a pretty okay guy is wonderful. Always fight for what you believe in!
What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
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Parent Written byMaryEBK February 25, 2016
age 13+

Relevant and engaging

Watched with our 13 year old -- and we were all spellbound. A disturbing chapter of American history highlighted through great story telling and compassion. This movie will hold the interest of any teenager who enjoys history and follows current events. Raises important questions families can discuss about public hysteria -- how individuals with a platform can fan the flames of fear regardless of facts -- and the right to individual beliefs. Beyond that, there are fabulous lessons about family, integrity, hard work, the creative process...and yes, the health effects of smoking, drinking, etc. There are lessons also about how a family pulls together when a parent loses work...including fear of survival, overcoming obstacles, admitting mistakes, and forgiveness.
What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
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