OK for kids 16+
Indie romcom explores ego and love; language, sex talk.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that indie romance Ruby Sparks is layered and hard to classify, despite its romcom positioning. It has moments of whimsy but also intense scenes that may be too heavy for younger teens and tweens. There's no nudity beyond some bare shoulders, but expect some swearing (including "f--k"), references to sex (including oral sex), and social drinking, as well as complex explorations into the nature of relationships.
- Families can talk about Calvin's "creation." What would it be like to be able to control the actions of a loved one? Would you want to?
- What is Ruby Sparks saying about the nature of creativity and art? What about relationships?
The good stuff
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Messages: A relationship has its own life and runs its own course. There's no trying to control it; you can only try your best and take a leap of faith.
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Role models: Calvin and Ruby are flawed and fascinating, sometimes simultaneously. Calvin wants to know himself and why he is the way he is (though he fights against the truth sometimes); Ruby is warm, open, and embracing.
What to watch for
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Violence: One particularly raw, potentially disturbing depiction of an intense argument between a couple. One resists the control with aggressive exertions, and it's sometimes difficult to watch.
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Sex: Kissing/tenderness, flirting (including a scene in which Ruby says she's not wearing any panties), and sometimes-crude verbal references/allusions to sex -- including oral sex and other activities. Cleavage and a woman's bare shoulders/back (implying nudity) are seen; some shots of a woman in underwear.
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Language: Words include several uses of "f--k," plus "s--t," "c--k," "poon," "jacks--t," "a--hole," "laid," "damn," "t-ts," and "oh my God."
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Consumerism: Labels referenced or seen include Apple, LifeFitness, Olympia, Crispix, BMW, and Prozac.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Social drinking. References to being stoned or smoking dope. Characters share a joint in one scene.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
A fabulous film about getting what you wish for; perfect summer flick! by Peneflix
Anyone who has had their first brush with adolescence has fantasized about the perfect partner; the one who completes the puzzle, the conundrum that is "you"; conforms to your ideal; meets and exceeds all your expectations; plainly put, the "love of your life."...
"Ruby Sparks" is one of the most compelling, enchanting films of the summer. Created by, and starring Zoe Kazan ("Ruby"), a gifted young woman with an enviable imagination, celestial blue eyes. Ruby's ethereal, luminescent, stunning as the sprite who morphs from the pages of novelist "Calvin" (Paul Dano); a prodigy, who has been wandering in a desert of "wordless" uncertainty. Dano's performance is galvanizing and vulnerable, simultaneously...
FOUR STARS!!!!
***For full review please visit peneflix (dot) com!!!
4
Good solid romantic comedy by NYPerson1
It wasn't quite as innovative as I'd been led to expect, but it was fun and definitely worth seeing. The cast is quirky, in a good way.
3
Ruby Sparks by baronblue
The trailer was better. Turns out to be sort of a cliche about how you can't micro-control the people you love without becoming a monster. Duh.
3
Interesting concept falls flat by Shadoi
I read the synopsis and was motivated to see it. While I still think the basic premise was interesting and all of the supporting actors were great, I was disappointed by some flaws in the story and in Calvin's character, and in the distracting acting of Paul Dano. If you're into meta-fiction and the story-within-a-story genre, go see it for the sake of the plot; if not, wait till you can catch it on basic cable.
5
phenmenal by Santiago - MAKiiNA
This movie blew my mind. As I was watching I realized I was totally falling in love with this film. Smart, funny, challenging, even emotionally entertaining. All the while not realizing the subtle enormity of the structure perfectly laid behind scenes.
When I realized this had been written by a woman, the same one listed as lead actress and executive producer, Zoe Kazan, the pieces of the puzzle slammed together like a tornado.
This is what us men do to women, and how they experience it. The madness. The impossibility. The magic of it all. The devastation of not being able to hold it together. But, above all, how men make it unreal for women to simply be the already magical creatures we are drawn to to begin with.
From dreaming the girl. Making her into the dream. Acknowledging the dream and wishing it to be different. To rejecting the new dream once it's changed just for our benefit...
Word to the wise. Come to terms with yourself and let the girl be.
4
So cute. by Josephcast
Super cute film, and going in I hadn't realized it was from the Little Miss Sunshine people, but makes sense. Paul Dano is wonderful and Zoe Kazan should be a star. A nice little love story. A nice fun little ride.
4
Charming Performances, Bobbles the ending by giffnyc
The actors find every bit of grounded realism with which to anchor themselves in this short story of love and magic. The script bounces over some uneven bits as it struggles to deliver some thematic depth, but if you have succumbed to the romantic spell cast by the ensemble , you'll forgive the bobbles as a necessary bit of sour to cut too much sweet, and be rewarded with a perfect date movie for for the nerdy hipster in all of us.
4
Very cute, totally charming by dannypants
A very sweet film about the fantasy of being able to control love and the reality of loving someone that requires you to set them free.
5
Loved It! by sweetsillyluna
I went in without knowing anything about the movie, it was a spur of the moment decision with my boyfriend. Only knowing that it was a romantic comedy, I went in with no expectations or anything, and came out absolutely loving it. The acting was amazing, the story was beautiful, and I can't wait to go take my friends to go see it again!
4
Ruby Sparks by makeminechocolate
Interesting premise that hardly gets explored. A writer who can create a woman chooses such silly quirks for her. Where's the dark side to this power ? Get angry with her ? Write something shocking, dangerous. A disappointing, repetitive mess. I give it a "Go" because of the premise and the acting, especially Zoe Kazan. Iris