Parents' Guide to

Enlightened

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Quirky, mature drama about a woman in transition.

TV HBO Drama 2011
Enlightened Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

When a messy office affair ends in a nervous breakdown, Amy Jellicoe (Laura Dern) heads to a treatment center in Hawaii, where a life-changing experience leaves her ENLIGHTENED with a newfound sense of purpose. But are the people and places she left behind -- including her mother (Diane Ladd) and ex-husband (Luke Wilson) -- ready to accept her passion for positive change?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

Co-produced by Dern and actor-writer Mike White (who also co-stars -- and twice appeared with his dad on The Amazing Race), Enlightened describes itself as an "offbeat" series. And while that's true in the sense that it's unconventional, what's more off-putting and rather puzzling is whether the show is supposed to be a drama or a comedy. You might naturally think "dramedy" would cover it, but even that label doesn't fit.

What you're left with, then, is a mildly quirky drama that's not really all that funny...which is maybe the most uncompelling description ever. In a nice twist, however, Dern's real-life mother plays her onscreen mom, a pairing that's worked well before in several feature films and helps create something worth watching.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the real-life consequences of getting involved with someone from work or school. How can the relationship affect your ability to concentrate? What happens when/if the relationship goes sour?

  • Do you think it's possible for people to change? How can outside influences (including family, friends, and work) prevent or enable people making significant changes in their lives? What elements need to be in place to promote long-lasting change? How realistic is Amy's journey?

  • How does Amy measure up as a role model, both before and after her breakdown?

TV Details

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