Seven Days In Utopia Family Movie Review

movie review rating guide for parents and families

MPAA Rating
G

Genre
Drama, sports

Director
Matt Russell

Starring
Robert Duvall, Lucas Black, Melissa Leo, Deborah Ann Woll, Brian Geraghty

Studio
Visio Entertainment

Release Date/In Theaters
9/2/2011 - Limited Distribution

Movie Summary

Luke Chisolm (played by Lucas Black) is a young golfer trying to become a professional player. The first year becomes so stressful. Luke runs away and lands in Utopia, Texas and the home of Johnny Crawford (Robert Duvall). Johnny's ways of looking at live changes Luke's perspective on life and his goals.

Seven Days in Utopia Movie Review for Parents

- by Ginger

            Seven Days in Utopia is an original drama that centers around golf, finding yourself and finding your game. A world class golfer loses his game, disappoints his father and his father walks away from him in the last round of an important tournament. He is driving through a remote part of Texas after the game and has a wreck. He gets stranded in the town of Utopia Texas, which doesn’t exist on the map. This family movie review does not consider it to be inappropriate for younger children due to content, but it is an adult drama, and they probably would not be interested in it.
            The plot centers on relationships and a personal journey of the soul as the once, famous golfer struggles to get back his swing and to discover what life is about. It is about getting back to the basics of life to find what one left behind. It is an excellent drama for adults, but this parental guide to the movies does not feel that it would keep the attention of small children. They might nap peacefully through it though…if you are lucky.
            In terms of content, this movie should probably be rated a PG. There was nothing objectionable in the film, but is just geared towards adults. It gets a PG13 rating from this parental guide to the movies because of the adult themes, but not necessarily the content of specific scenes. It would be okay to take the kids too, but does not necessarily qualify as a family movie. It is not likely that the kids would understand all of that grown-up stuff.
            The movie does have an underlying positive theme about perseverance and healing through struggle. In the end, the character does get his game back, mend relationships with his father and he gets the girl. This ending is predictable from the very beginning of the movie. The journey to get to this end makes for an interesting plot that encourages the audience to reflect on their own struggles in life and on new ways to look at things. It is about stepping back and taking a simpler approach to life in order to discover those things that are really important.
            The movie does have a love affair, but it is more psychological than physical. Kids probably would not get it. The theme about father-son relationships and getting back in the game would probably go over their heads too. Kids will be squirming in their seats to go home, while the adults are annoyed because it is a really good drama. My advice, leave the kids at the sitter, and go have a grown-ups night out. This plan will help to preserve the domestic peace and tranquility.

You may also be interested in reading our Family Movie Review for the movie One Fall just click on the link provided or browse additional movies in our Parental Guide movie guide.

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