What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this suspenseful thriller from Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis (Crash) has violent sequences with dead bodies and blood, as well as attempted suicides and shouting/arguing. When the main character's (Russell Crowe) wife is accused of murder and imprisoned for life, he decides as a last resort to break her out of jail, no matter what the consequences. His choices and actions send a mixed message to teens about respecting the law, but, on the flip side, those same decisions may prompt some interesting discussions. Expect some language (including "s--t" and one "f--k"), references to drugs and drug dealers, and some sexual situations/talk, but no actual nudity.
- Families can talk about the movie's violence. Since John isn't an action hero and doesn't always know what he's doing, is the violence more frightening than thrilling?
- Did John make the right decision? Did he have any other options? Is there a true "right" or "wrong" choice here? Who decides where that line is drawn?
- Do you think the movie justifies John's actions? What consequences does this family face at the end of the story?