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Parents' Guide to

Wilson

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Vulgar but funny, touching comedy is full of adult humor.

Movie R 2017 94 minutes
Wilson Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 13+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Bridgette Kathleen Slattery
Bridgette Kathleen Slattery Adult
June 6, 2019
age 14+

Clever

I saw this movie I laughed out loud for the first 45 minutes Woody Harrelson is a genius he's so believable you never questioned for 1 minute that he's acting I absolutely loved about six of the first funny scenes there were so many incredible scenes where I laughed out loud I really like the friend the best friend and his wife I really wish we could have seen more of them they were so cool and his old friend who was bitter and crazy I would have loved for him to have been in the whole movie The Nutty girl at the pet store with a ponytail on her head I wish she was in the whole movie there were so many cool actors I had never seen before who I wished were in the whole movie instead we got stuck with Laura Dern as soon as Laura Dern came into the picture I lost interest in the movie as soon as he was I'm married man before I lost interest in the movie it was so fun when he was just a nobody kind of a doucher I love that from us and then when he became a father it wasn't as interesting but the first hour was the best movie I've seen in years and years with some of those characters as actors I hope they all get famous I'm sick of the regular Stars
S T.
S T. Adult
January 15, 2018
age 8+

Very realistic and thoughtful movie with non-fake themes.

Wilson.. is a very good movie if you like real life scenarios and characters. The acting is phenomenal, the cast is phenomenal, the story rings very true from a males perspective and highlights the delightful point of view of a man who has been circumstantially denied the joy of being part of a family because of a combination of his own failures and shortcomings, timing, unrequited love and some other factors beyond his control. He has remained patient and kind throughout his own stubborn and stagnant life and now finds himself caught sharply experiencing the present with a realization that growing old and perhaps obselete is soon approaching. After finding out he has a daughter he never knew about he experiences a new zeal for life and fully embraces the possibility of becoming a father with a tenderness that only Woody Harrelson can deliver. This is a nice movie that will compliment all of your parental and human virtues. If you liked ‘lil miss sunshine, you will also love this!
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In WILSON, Wilson (Woody Harrelson) is a dog-lover and something of an outspoken optimist: He expects the best in human behavior and is outraged when he doesn't get it. His life is changed when his father takes a turn for the worse, and Wilson begins to despair about leaving the planet with nothing to show for it. But then fate re-introduces him to Pippi (Laura Dern), the ex-wife he's never quite forgotten. He then discovers that she once had a daughter whom she gave up for adoption. They find the now-teenage Claire (Isabella Amara), who has a huge attitude, and Wilson becomes enthralled with the idea of being a family. Unfortunately, Wilson hasn't quite registered that his visits with Claire, done without the knowledge of her adopted parents, aren't quite legal.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Like Daniel Clowes' earlier Ghost World, this adaptation of his 2010 graphic novel is filled with vulgar, adult humor -- but it's also extremely funny, truthful, and touching. Though the book version of Wilson was often difficult to like, in the movie, he's kind of a cynical optimist, expecting the best of people but outraged when he doesn't get it. Thanks in part to Harrelson's nuanced performance, Wilson becomes something of a lovable misfit.

Director Craig Johnson, whose great The Skeleton Twins was unafraid to look at the dark side of human nature while still achieving funny, truthful characters, does fine work here again. In addition to Harrelson, Dern is miraculous as Wilson's ex, struggling to keep upright, and each and every smaller role is fleshed out by a memorable, vivid performance. The movie's look and pacing echo Clowes' comic work, creating a world both ridiculous and warm. It's a subtly complex movie, and though the outcome is still a little dark, Wilson is ultimately hopeful.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Wilson's violent moments. Are the "beating up" scenes funny or shocking? How different is the impact when death enters into the story?

  • Does the movie use any stereotypes? Does it play into them or undermine them?

  • How does the movie handle Pippi's past with drug use and drinking? Does it sympathize with her? Does it judge her?

  • Is Wilson hopeful or cynical? Does he see the best or the worst in people? What makes him a sympathetic character?

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