Charlie St. Cloud Review
“Charlie St. Cloud” is a PG13 drama starring Zac Efron, as Charlie. For the tween and teenage girls wanting to see Zac Efron, this is not even close to the Troy Bolton from High School Musical. This is the story about Charlie St. Cloud (Zac Efron). He’s a recent high school graduate, and an experienced sailor, who just received a scholarship to Stanford. One summer night, Charlie and his eleven year old brother, Sam, get into a deadly car accident that kills Sam. Charlie’s life is now changed forever, he gives up sailing, defers college, and he starts working and living at a cemetery. He begins to see clear visions of his brother, and he fulfills his promise that he had once made to Sam; to meet every night at sunset to practice baseball. Five years later Charlie is still interacting with his deceased brother, and trying to cope with his loss, but when he’s reacquainted with Tess, a former high-school classmate, she helps him move on with his life.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: August 4, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
This is a heartfelt story about coping with the loss of a loved one, getting a second chance in life, and it’s also an endearing love story.
The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. People who like to sail may like the movie, as there are many scenes of Charlie and Tess sailing.
I thought the movie was appropriately rated, PG13
I read that, “This movie was built to appeal to tween and teen girls.” I think that most high school musical fans will want to see this movie, but as I mentioned earlier this is a drama, not a lighthearted movie, one you’d expect Zac Efron to be in. Since the movie is about death, the subject matter is for mature young adults.
There are some confusing parts in the storyline.
Profanity:
Mild. Though Sam, the eleven year old, swears a few times.
Sexual Content: Mild
Charlie and Tess have a romantic encounter in the cemetery. We don’t see much, mainly passionate kisses, but it’s implied that they’ve slept together.
Violent Content: Moderate
The car accident was intense and very sad. On the way home my kids were on edge, thinking of the accident, realizing that could happen to anyone.
Conclusion:
Overall I thought this was an intriguing movie, that held your attention. My twelve year old son did not like it, but my fourteen year old daughter really liked it, but thought some parts were creepy. I interviewed two ten year old girls that said, “Anything with Zac Efron is good, we loved it!” I don’t think they cared about the intense story, only Zac, as did most of the tween girls.
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