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I'm Reed Fish Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

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

  • 2.0
    36

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    Village Voice

    Short of pulling a Zach Braff, there's one sure way to get known as a screenwriter: Put your actual name in the title of the script.

    Read Full Review

  • 30

    out of 100

    The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis

    Sweetness and whimsy fill the screen to capacity in I'm Reed Fish, a rural coming-of-age tale that's so laid-back that its cast is almost horizontal.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Ronnie Scheib

    Pitch-perfect dialogue, quietly dynamic helming and small-scale action on a widescreen canvas make for a very appealing film.

    Read Full Review

  • See all I'm Reed Fish reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 10+

Kid-friendly rom-com lures but doesn't hook.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that there's very little to worry about in this earnest romantic comedy. The characters are all well-intentioned, and even when they behave badly, it's only because they're human, not because they want to hurt anyone (this is made very clear). Teens who know star Jay Baruchel from Judd Apatow's Knocked Up may be surprised that there's no foul-mouthed guy humor here. Instead, it has themes about finding yourself and making authentic choices. Some drinking, but only by those of legal age, and one heavy make-out session.

  • Families can talk about expectations and how they're set. How does a young person decide who he or she becomes? Do parents wield the most influence? What about neighbors and friends? Also, what role does the media play in creating and setting expectations? In TV shows and movies, does it seem like there's one fork in the road leading to a specific choice that determines what happens in the future? Is that how it is in real life?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Reed, who's engaged, kisses a woman who's not his fiancée; guy friends jokingly threaten each other with bodily harm; in one incident, two male friends get in a prolonged fistfight (though no one draws blood).

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: Two men brawl clumsily, shoving each other, rolling around on the floor, and even removing one shoe each as if to swat at each other. One character talks about "hurting" another through martial arts, but nothing happens; the same person also breaks a board with a punch (it's a deliberate stunt, so no one gets hurt). Two women scream at each other briefly over a man's affections.

  • sex false3

    Sex: An engaged couple paw each other and make out (sex later is implied). Another pair kisses nearly every time they're onscreen together (quick pecks and some long smooches, but nothing in close-up). An engaged man flirts with a woman who's not his fiancée; later, he kisses her and she eagerly reciprocates.

  • language false2

    Language: "Hell," "damn," and "Jesus" are about as bad as it gets. In fact, there's even a joke about the word "frig" (as in "frigging") being too colorful for a character who's somewhat uptight.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Little to speak of except for vintage products (like rotary phones and mics, which are prominently placed in the radio station).

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Beer and hard liquor are served at bars and restaurants and champagne appears at a wedding, where Fish has a little too much; Fish and his future father-in-law smoke "Cubans."

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