OK for kids 14+
Powerful drama includes horrifying Holocaust violence.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this often-intense drama based on the 2007 novel by Tatiana De Rosnay takes place in both 1942, as a brave 10-year-old girl tries to survive the Holocaust and rescue her younger brother, and 2009, as a journalist in France tries to find out what happened. The movie features some horrifying violence, mostly surrounding the Holocaust sequences that make up about a third of the film. Characters commit suicide, get sick, and die; children are pushed and hurt in the general chaos; and blood is shown. There's some minor sexuality, including a pregnant woman and an image of two teen/pre-teen girls swimming naked. Teens old enough to handle the Holocaust imagery will find some interesting and powerful history lessons here.
- Families can talk about the violence of the Holocaust. What would make people behave that way? How is that period of history typically portrayed in the media?
- What keeps drawing filmmakers and audiences to this subject material?
- Does knowing the truth help or hurt the characters in 2009? Is something painful better hidden or known?
The good stuff
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Messages: Young Sarah is clever and strong and tries her best to solve problems and overcome challenges in the midst of a scary, intense situation (even though she sometimes fails). As for Julia's story in the present day, it shows that no matter how painful, the truth does indeed set you free.
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Role models: Sarah could be viewed as a role model in some respects; she's brave and strong and quick thinking, and she's a problem-solver. But after a terrible failure, she withdraws and becomes angry, sullen, and depressed. Julia is also a mixed role model: She's curious and warm-hearted, but her search also borders on selfish obsession.
What to watch for
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Violence: Most of the movie's violence is concentrated during the Holocaust sequence during the first third. The roundup of innocent French Jews is shown as a disgusting horror show; people commit suicide (blood shown) and pretend to be sick by "coughing up" blood. Characters get sick and die. In the camps, there's screaming, pushing, and shoving, with children getting hurt in the fracas. Guards are shown to have guns.
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Sex: Two teen/pre-teen girls are seen floating naked in a pond (though it's mostly from far away, and no real details are visible). In the present day, a husband and wife are seen kissing; the wife is pregnant.
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Language: One use of "My God."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Two adults sip champagne in a restaurant. No drunkenness.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Sarah's Key by red.mac.attack
Wow, this is a portion of history of which I was totally unaware. This is a great film. I literally sobbed at one point. Definitely for adults only, due to the subject matter. Kristen Scott Thomas is a tremendous actress and deserves an Oscar for best actor. I also believe this should win for best film.
5
SARAH'S KEY by Freedah
The movie was as wonderful as the book. It really brought the book to life. I felt it was beautifully cast. It caught the horror of the situation and the need to solve the riddle of Sarah.
This is not a movie for kids But a must see for ALL teens and older.
5
Sarah's Key is a "Must See" by Staal1205
The movie was beautifully acted and filmed. I had read the book and it followed very closely. Kristin Scott Thomas gave a wonderfl performance and Sarah as a young girl was fantastic.
4
Good movie by LizMael
It was a good movie. It's one of those movies I will probably remember all my life due to the historical content, although it was a bit predictable in places.
5
So worth it!! by jmpfahl
I read this book years ago, and I really like it. However I like these kinds of books/movies. Some people find them depressing etc. The movie followed so true to the book that I was amazed! The acting was phenomenal, I feel like the little girl who played Sarah was the characters incarnate!! The cinematography/directing/writing etc just all great, the entire movie was breathtaking!! Even though I knew the story, and knew what was going to happen it still had such an emotional impact, more than the book did in my opinion. You believed these actors and their emotions. I can't say enough good things about the girl who played Sarah, just exceptional. So if you enjoy these kinds of movies then definitely go see it!! If you are afraid it won't be as good as the book don't worry it's a very pure transition, one of the best jobs of going from book to movie I have ever seen!!
5
Wow. by ciaobella33181
I hate to say this is a "great" movie, given the heaviness of the subject itself. I will say that it was very well done. The acting was superb, the story line intense, and the filming was first class. I wasn't sure how the quality would be considering this to be a foreign film, but it did not dissapoint. It was a tear jerker to be sure and very sobering. I had previously read the book and was surprised at how closely the movie followed the story line of the book. It was probably one of the closest book-to-movie adaptions I have ever watched. I went with my boyfriend who felt that the plot kept him guessing and it was not easy to assume which way the story would go. It was again, a very sobering movie. I felt at a loss for words after leaving the show, and it prompted some constructive conversation between my boyfriend and I. I think it's the type of movie that would be of benefit to the viewer to watch at least once, but it's not really for "entertainment" purposes.
5
A story that will touch your whole being. It was told well. Go see it. Well Worth it. by buffetfan1102
This movie was a well told story. It was a story that you will follow to the end. You watch and wonder what will come next and how will it end. Not too slow but at a good pace. I would see it again. Some tough scenes to watch. It is hard to watch human beings treated in such a bad. but only a short scene. Go see it. You will walk away touched by it.
5
Sarahs Key by communityfan
Very well done and followed the book fairly well. The characters were as the reader would imagine and though some parts of the book are missing, it didn't hurt the movie.
4
Worth Seeing by DonB7
Moving story moves between current time and past.
The past portion of the story is more coherent and believable than the current time portion.