Parents' Guide to

Flesh and Bone

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Nudity, drugs, casual cruelty in arresting ballet drama.

TV Starz Drama 2015
Flesh and Bone Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 18+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 18+

A BIG WASTE OF TIME TO WATCH!

This show is the definitive definition of a SLOW BURN!! But more importantly it lacks enjoyment! I said to myself after watching it,...THAT WAS HOURS I WON'T GET BACK! HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. UGG!

This title has:

Too much sex
age 18+

Adults only. Not for kids.

Basically an attempt to replicate the Black Swan formula of "the dark side of ballet" for TV, this is show is far too sexual for kids. Even open-minded parents might find it a bit much, and I question whether the sex scenes were all necessary. This is definitely an example of a show parents should preview before deciding whether to allow younger viewers to watch - if you're OK with letting kids watch shows like Masters of Sex then you'll be fine.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

Beautifully shot and acted and intriguingly written, this drama enchants, even though the first reaction of most parents will be to hope neither their daughters nor sons become pro ballet dancers. Absolutely no one on-screen looks like they're having a good time -- not Claire, who trembles like a frightened deer, not any of the dancers who flash her jealous looks and whisper (not so quietly) about her in the practice studio, and certainly not the company's director, beset by difficulties both financial and personal.

Yet they're awfully interesting to watch, these thin, intense people who appear gracefully weightless onstage, yet offstage lead lives of quiet misery. Creator Moira Walley-Beckett was herself a Claire-like young dancer, and it shows; this drama is uncommonly wise in the ways a naive, frightened young girl might feel and how she might be able to stretch and grow once she rids herself of some past baggage. It's emotionally ugly -- and definitely unsuitable for kids -- but the ugliness compels and rings true.

TV Details

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