Charlie St. CloudMovie Reviews

Poster art for "Charlie St. Cloud."

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Avg. Critic Score: 37 out of 100 Generally unfavorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 OK for kids 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    A delicate film - not flimsy, but fragile - that holds together on the strength of Efron's physical presence and performance. Read full review

  • 60
    Variety | Dennis Harvey

    Religious overtones, however, could make this the rare mainstream feature that connects with the faith-based entertainment market. Read full review

  • 50
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    The movie tries to capture the crushing weight of loss, but between the insipid pop tunes and the repetitive shots cutting away to a lighthouse on a scenic outcropping, it feels more like a film version of a condolence card. Read full review

  • 42
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    The surreal thing is, Zac Efron can't do despair. Read full review

  • 40
    Los Angeles Times | Betsy Sharkey

    For now, Efron remains an unrealized dream and Charlie St. Cloud an unrealized movie, though judging from the "ooohhs" and "awwwws" from the audience, for his core tween-girl fans, that's more than enough. Read full review

  • 38
    Washington Post | Michael O'Sullivan

    Charlie St. Cloud, like its star Zac Efron, is a gorgeous, unblemished thing. Both would be much improved with a tiny flaw or two. Read full review

  • 38
    Boston Globe | Wesley Morris

    It has no pulse, no apparent breath. Read full review

  • 30
    The Hollywood Reporter | Kirk Honeycutt

    The film doesn't just fail, it actually gets sillier by the minute. Read full review

  • 25
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    Some bad movies should carry a leper's bell to warn off ticket buyers. Such a contagion is Charlie St. Cloud, a load of mawkish swill starring Zac Efron (bereft of the talent he showed in "Me and Orson Welles"). Read full review

  • 20
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    You are not, in a movie like this, supposed to think too much; you are supposed to be transported beyond skepticism on a wave of pure, tacky feeling. Instead, in this case, you drown in sentimental, ghoulish nonsense. Read full review

View more reviews for Charlie St. Cloud on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 13+ Poignant Efron drama too intense for younger fans.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this affecting drama starring High School Musical heartthrob Zac Efron tackles themes that may be too heavy for his legions of tween fans. His character is tortured with survivor's guilt over the death of his younger brother, which happens in a terrible car accident (some blood is shown). While there are other intense scenes of despair and sadness, there’s also hope and a strong message about leaving tragedy behind in favor of joy. Expect some swearing (including "s--t"), the suggestion of underage drinking (though none is shown), and some kissing and discussion of "getting laid."
  • Families can talk about what audience the movie is intended to appeal to. Is it meant for Efron's younger fans? Do stars who are popular with younger kids have an obligation to make media that's appropriate for them?
  • What role does alcohol play in the movie's central tragedy? What are the real-life consequences of drinking?
  • Why is Charlie consumed by guilt? Can you keep the memory of a deceased loved one alive without getting lost in death? How does the movie handle this topic?
  • Do you believe in second chances? Why?
The good stuff
  • message true3 Positive messages: The movie seems to be telling audiences not to live in the past -- and that the best way out of tragedy is to take one step at a time toward joy, no matter how hard that may seem. It also says that putting off a dream doesn't mean losing it completely.
  • rolemodels true1 Positive role models: Charlie is an amazing brother -- but he's so dedicated and loyal that his own needs go by the wayside. He doesn’t know how to manage his grief and instead drowns in it. Charlie and Sam's parents are mostly out of the picture, either for sad reasons (abandonment) or out of necessity (work).
What to watch for
  • violence false2 Violence: A child dies in a terrible car accident; viewers don’t see much gore, but they do see blood, cuts, and bruises. Guys talk trash after a sporting event and at a bar; one of them gets punched in the mouth.
  • sex false2 Sex: Talk about “getting laid.” A couple kisses passionately and spends the night together; he's seen with his shoulders bare. Charlie is seen shirtless.
  • language false3 Language: An 11-year-old says “ass” and “d--k.” “S--t” is also used a couple of times; other words include "hell," "damn," and "crap."
  • consumerism false1 Consumerism: A few labels are flashed, including Kaenon (maker of sunglasses) and Tanqueray.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: A terrible car accident is caused by a drunk driver. Teens talk about partying. A young man drowns his sorrows with hard liquor. Friends down Jaeger bombs at a bar.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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