Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Quirky tale of cutesy hit girls is full of violence, curses.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Violet & Daisy
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
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Cinedigm
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, disturbing behavior and language
- Last updated : September 18, 2022
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