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Violet & Daisy
Common Sense says
age 17+
Quirky tale of cutesy hit girls is full of violence, curses.
- R
- 2013
- 88 minutes
Parents say
age 15+
Based on 1 review
Kids say
age 14+
Based on 2 reviews
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
Positive Role Models & Representations
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Violet & Daisy is a quirky, comedic crime movie about two female contract killers. It comes from the Oscar-winning writer of Precious but feels more akin to the style of Quentin Tarantino. As such, violence and language are both very strong. The girls shoot and kill many victims and perform a comically sadistic dance on their corpses called the "internal bleeding dance" (it makes blood ooze from the victims' noses and mouths). Swearing includes "f--k," "s--t," "c--t," and especially "bitch." Plus, the girls are obsessed with a fictitious pop star ("Barbie Sunday") and are saving money to buy expensive dresses from the star's personal line.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
I liked it!
I enjoyed Violet & Daisy and mainly watched for Alexis Bledel, her character really stood out and her acting was top notch. It really lets you get to kn... Continue reading
Not that bad
Sure, this movie contains some light cursewords, but not that much, and the violence is basically nonexistent, you don't see the bullets hit their targets,... Continue reading
Violet and daisy
The movie combines comedy with violence and has a twisted sense of reality but is surprisingly engaging and could be likable for older teens and adults.
What's the story?
Violet (Alexis Bledel) and Daisy (Saoirse Ronan) are partners, friends, and hired contract killers. After their latest job (posing as nuns delivering pizzas), they decide to take a vacation. But when they realize that they need money to buy fancy new dresses from the "Barbie Sunday" line, they take another "easy" job. Unfortunately, it turns out to be not so easy. The would-be victim (James Gandolfini) seemingly wants to die; rather than resisting, he offers the girls fresh-baked cookies. Over the course of a long day, the girls must dispatch other assassins, run out for more bullets, and figure out what's really going on with their latest hit.
Is it any good?
Violet & Daisy feels like something out of the 1990s, when first-time filmmakers were either trying to imitate Quentin Tarantino or trying to be "quirky"; this movie does both. Geoffrey Fletcher, who won an Oscar for his first produced screenplay, Precious, wrote and makes his directorial debut with VIOLET & DAISY, and the two movies couldn't be more different. Though this one can't keep up its energy throughout, especially as it's set mostly in one room, it's charming enough -- and short enough -- that there are no hard feelings.
The wonderful cast, including cult actor Danny Trejo in one scene, and a terrific Marianne Jean-Baptiste as a veteran hit woman, helps a great deal. They seem up for anything, including the weird girly games that go on throughout, such as spontaneous games of pat-a-cake. They all have an interesting openness throughout that carries them through the movie's dry spots. Fletcher seems to genuinely like them, and we do, too.
Talk to your kids about ...
- Families can talk about Violet & Daisy's violence. How did it affect you? What's the characters' attitude toward violence? How do you think the filmmakers expect you to react to the violence? How can you tell?
- The two lead characters are tough hired killers, which is the kind of role that usually goes to men. What's interesting and unique about having girls playing these characters? How do they compare with other movies and TV shows about tough girls?
Why are the girls so obsessed with Barbie Sunday? Does this fictitious star resemble anyone from real life? Have you ever coveted products from a certain star? Do you think the movie is trying to express a viewpoint about celebrity or consumerism?
Movie details
- In theaters: June 7, 2013
- On DVD or streaming: November 19, 2013
- Cast: Alexis Bledel, James Gandolfini, Saoirse Ronan
- Director: Geoffrey Fletcher
- Studio: Cinedigm
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 88 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: violence, disturbing behavior and language
For kids who love strong women
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.