Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 13+
Sweet, romantic musical hits all the right notes.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although there's a fair amount of swearing in this endearing indie romance -- particularly "f--k" -- hardly anything else would raise a flag for teens and up. In fact, it's one of the few love stories that doesn't require its leads to get naked or fall in bed together. A thief does try to make off with the musician's street earnings, and there's some bitter talk of past breakups, plenty of beer drinking, and flirtation between a married woman and a single man (even though both know she's still married). But the positive messages about love and emotional connection outweigh any iffiness.
- Families can talk about what makes this movie so different from typical Hollywood romances. How does the main couple connect without having sex? Do other movies rely too much on establishing relationships primarily through getting physical? How do most movies define "love"? Is that realistic? Families can also discuss the fact that movies often portray the pursuit of dreams. Do these dreams seem attainable? If not, how do you keep the faith?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: The characters develop a wonderful, delicate, and respectful romance; from the onset, they treat each other like equals (a rare thing onscreen). Lots of emphasis is placed on pursuing your dreams, and the couple is very supportive of each other's wants and needs. Characters care for both their elders and their children with grace. A couple of sour notes: Lots of swearing, and a man drives after some drinks and no sleep.
What to watch for
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Violence: No overt violence, but some potentially upsetting scenes related to poverty -- families shoehorned into very small apartments, for instance.
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Sex: A man propositions a woman, but indirectly and awkwardly. One mention of "hanky panky," but in a jovial, respectful manner. Sexual tension, but the focus is on the couple's burgeoning emotional attachment, not what would happen if they got naked.
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Language: Lots of swearing, usually involving "f--k" -- as in "for f--k's sake" and "f--king brilliant."
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Consumerism: Very little, though the street musician sings in front of a CD store with the name fully displayed.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some smoking in pubs; lots of drinking in social situations.