Iffy for 15+
Heartbreaking melodrama is too heavy for kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this serious melodrama centers on the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident that kills a 10-year-old boy. His parents grieve in a realistic, disturbing-to-watch manner, and the child's lifeless body is shown on the road at least three times. The man responsible for the accident also grieves -- at some points by drinking heavily -- as he comes to grips with what he has done. There's also a confrontation at gunpoint between the two protagonists. With such upsetting themes (as well as strong language, including "f--k"), the film is iffy for kids and young teens.
- Families can talk about how the movie portrays the two father characters. Dwight seems like a great dad, but he's only recently gotten overnight visits with his son, and he doesn't turn himself into the police. Ethan is also a loving husband and father, but he allows his grief to turn to an overwhelming need for vengeance. How does the movie focus on the similarities between them? Also, the end of the film may seem unsettling to some audiences. What do you think happens?
What to watch for
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Violence: Extremely disturbing image of a dead child face down in the street. Two men have a violent confrontation at gunpoint; a grieving mom screams and sobs, as does a little girl.
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Sex: Grace and Ethan kiss and start to fool around in bed; they embrace in several scenes.
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Language: Grief and anger are expressed in strong language: "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "hell" "goddamn," etc.
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Consumerism: Boston Red Sox memorabilia and clothes, Mrs. Meyer's soap, Ford Explorer, Volvo, Toyota Prius.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Depressed, Dwight drinks beer and hard liquor in a few scenes.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
WORTH SEEING!!!! by cellogrl
OK, so the critics have totally panned it. Big deal. Part of the problem is that the movie was marketed as some kind of crime drama. It isn't. What it is, is a drama about the moral dilemma faced by a man who is an "officer of the court" (aka, lawyer) who screws up big by driving away from the scene of an accident where a child is killed. Was it stupid for him to do this? Absolutely. Are his actions as implausible as some critics have said? Unfortunately, no. Happens all the time, sadly. Just read the NY Times! Or the Daily News. Or the Post, which also said the movie sucked. It doesn't suck. You see excellent performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connolly, Mark Ruffalo, and Mira Sorvino. Go see it; it's actually very good.
4
No reservations recommending this movie... by FRONT_ROW_
This is a good movie not a great one. The plot is extremely simplistic yet the acting makes it worth the $10. All of the much expected emotion over this tragedy that's every parent's nightmare would be dull in the hands of lesser actors. I did feel a bit played by the director but he did such a good job I didn't mind though he did push me right to the edge. Crime thriller this is not, rather it spoon feeds you all of the way through, there are no twists and turns, nothing to figure out, just actors who personify their characters so well that you are entertained, moved a bit, but not challenged.
1
Reservation Road by mommymommybear
Horrible, horrible movie. A tear jerker that doesn't end. The plot is predictable and only Mark Ruffalo was a believable character; even at that I couldn't sympathize with his character at all. We want to walk out befor the movie was half way done and did end up walking out befor the movie predictably ended. Don''t waste you money.