Winter's Tale

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Winter's Tale Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Disappointing book-based fantasy-drama has heavy themes.

PG-13 2014 129 minutes
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Parents say

age 16+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 6 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Winter's Tale, based on Mark Helprin's 1983 novel of the same name, deals with heavy themes of love and death, and good vs. evil, and so is best for teens and older who can handle these issues. Expect a few scenes of brutal violence (stabbings and up-close shootings) and some heavy kissing and implied nudity (a woman's naked back and silhouette is seen from afar). Swearing ("goddamn" and "s--t") is used sparingly.

Community Reviews

JBnPTsMom
JBnPTsMom Adult
March 18, 2015
age 18+

The bottom line: this movie is about good vrs evil, magic, and the neat little coincidences that are woven through life.

I imagine it may be best to read the book first. Something I have not done. The movie is filled with what is, to me, neat little literary type quotes, like when Peter says: "Don't know who's more foolish; The horse who won't listen to his master or the master who listens to his horse. " Here are a few other samples: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1837709/quotes. The banter, dialogue, between Peter and Beverly is gently witty. The story begins with an immigrant mother and father denied entry to the USA because of their health status. To save their baby they make the sacrifice to place him in a small boat that they hope will send him safely to the shores of New York and to a better life than that to which they must return. Very Moses-like. We see the infant as the adult Peter Lake, a common thief who is clever with anything mechanical. We learn that he has left his old mentor, a demon (named Pearly) bent on destroying him as a result, and struck out on his own. While breaking into the home of wealthy newspaper icon, Isaac Penn, Peter falls in love with Beverly Penn who is home alone at the time and, we learn, dying of consumption. Pearly, in cahoots with Lucifer himself, whom he calls "Lu," seeks to bring chaos and hopelessness into the world. On the other hand Peter seeks to save Beverly from certain death. In the end, it is another redhead he saves - a hundred years later - and you come to understand why they say hindsight is 20/20 because "all the little pieces" come together in the end. A lovely story, well acted and directed. Though not appropriate for kids 17 and under because of: language, violence (Hunger Games and Harry Potter I think have similar levels of violence), intensity of evil, while no significant nudity is shown.... Peter and Beverly clearly are seen in the act of making love, and younger kids just might not get the storyline. In the end the message is not only about good vrs evil but each human's significant role on earth during the life given them by God. It is about the human striving for purpose and hope. THE true answer is not really found in this story. But as far as movies go, it is a sweet story and I would recommend it --- to an adult.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
slasher23
slasher23 Adult
August 16, 2014
age 14+
some violence a sexual content

This title has:

Great role models
Too much sex
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

This romantic drama, based on a book by Mark Helprin, skips in time from the late 1800s to present day New York City, following Peter Lake (Colin Farrell), a thief with a conscience who has angered his crime boss, the very violent Pearly Soames (Russell Crowe). Pearly, who once mentored Peter, is tired of the young man's reticence to commit violence while on the job. Little does Peter know, Pearly has other, supernatural reasons for wanting him dead. But love gets in the way when Peter meets Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay), a young woman suffering from consumption who's only got a few months to live. Larger forces are in play as Peter and Pearly approach a standoff, throwing them both into modern day New York City.

Is It Any Good?

How to spell utter disappointment: W-I-N-T-E-R-S T-A-L-E. The disappointment is so great because the film is gifted with so many wonderful actors, best of all the enchanting Brown Findlay, who proved to be a fascinating character in the British mini-series in Downton Abbey. Though she does everything in her power to bring to life her rendition of the dying Beverly here -- a great counterpoint to Crowe, who's relying on the usual tropes (scarred face, growly voice, pickled accent) to portray the ultimate villain -- it cannot save the film.

The movie is gorgeous to watch, but a mess: timelines, heavy-handed voiceover, airy dialogue that doesn't give the audience much to hold onto. (Also, corny: the bad guys are dressed in black; the good in, yes, white.) Older teens and parents may enjoy the unabashedly romantic tale, but when it's drowned in metaphysical confusion -- Peter was born in the 1800s but shows up in modern-day New York City, looking exactly the same as he was, though he's no time traveler (and this is just one of many examples) -- they're bound to give up trying to understand midway. Authentic, believable acting (except for Crowe's, which borders on the hammy), can't save this tale from icing the audience out.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the message of the movie. Is it a message from a specific time period, or does it transcend generations?

  • Peter is a thief, but is he a good man? How does the film answer this question?

  • What feels realistic in this movie and what feels more romanticized and melodramatic?

  • For those who have read the book upon which the movie is based, how does it compare?

Movie Details

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Themes & Topics

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