Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this movie has good intentions. The civics lesson is real, and the idea that every vote counts is worth drilling into our kids' heads. Madeline Carroll's performance as the responsible daughter trying to parent her irresponsible father is genuinely moving.

But let's be honest: this is a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes for a reason. The political satire was already feeling stale in 2008, and now it's practically ancient history. The constant drinking is a real problem—Bud is drunk or drinking in nearly every scene, and while the film eventually addresses his irresponsibility, it takes a long time to get there.

If you're looking for a way to talk about elections and civic duty with your 14-year-old during campaign season, this could work as a jumping-off point. Just be ready to pause frequently to explain 2008 political references and to discuss why Bud's behavior is problematic. For actual entertainment? There are better options. This is more 'homework disguised as a movie' than 'movie that happens to teach something.'

Age Fit

Common Sense Media and most parent reviewers land on 14+ as the sweet spot, though some note mature 12-13 year olds could handle it with parental guidance. The substance use and language make it inappropriate for younger kids, and honestly, the 2008 political humor will likely bore anyone under 13 anyway. Adults might appreciate the civics lesson but won't find much entertainment value—this is squarely a teaching tool for high schoolers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

52

The father-daughter relationship at the core has genuine warmth, and the film's message about civic responsibility is solid. But Bud is a problematic protagonist—he's frequently drunk, irresponsible, and models behavior that's hard to root for. The frequent alcohol use (rated C- by ParentPreviews) and swearing (D+) undercut the wholesomeness significantly. It's not mean-spirited, but it's not exactly a healthy emotional model either.

Imaginative

48

The premise—one man's vote deciding a presidential election—is a clever hook, but the execution is fairly paint-by-numbers political satire. It doesn't invite creative thinking or exploration; it's a straightforward comedy-drama that hits predictable beats. The political machinations are more formulaic than inventive, and there's little that sparks curiosity or original thought beyond the initial 'what if' scenario.

Safe

58

PG-13 for language is accurate. There's frequent swearing, lots of drinking and drunken behavior, and occasional adult jokes/brief sexual references. Violence is minimal and comedic (rated B by ParentPreviews). No gore, nudity, or truly shocking content, but the substance abuse is pervasive enough that younger kids would be exposed to normalized heavy drinking. It's not dangerous, but it requires parental context and isn't something you'd want a 10-year-old stumbling into unsupervised.

Enriching

64

The film's core message about voting, civic duty, and the power of individual participation is genuinely valuable and can spark meaningful conversations. It shows how personal choices ripple outward and how democracy depends on engagement. That said, the entertainment value is middling—38% on Rotten Tomatoes, 42% audience score, 6.1 on IMDb—and the heavy-handed satire can feel dated. It's more 'teachable moment' than truly enriching experience, and the 2008 political context feels increasingly stale.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely useful conversation starter about voting, civic duty, and how individual choices matter in democracy
The father-daughter dynamic (Madeline Carroll is excellent as civically-engaged Molly) has real heart and shows a kid trying to guide her irresponsible parent
Could work as a teaching tool during election years for teens who need to understand the mechanics and importance of voting
Kevin Costner brings charm even when playing a mess of a human being

⚠

What to Watch For

Constant drinking—Bud is drunk or drinking in most scenes, which normalizes heavy alcohol use without much consequence until late in the film
Frequent swearing throughout (hence the PG-13)
The 2008 political satire feels increasingly dated and may not resonate with kids who weren't alive during Bush/Obama era politics
Some adult jokes and brief sexual references that younger teens might not catch but are still present

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Molly cares so much about voting when her dad doesn't? What would you do if your parent didn't take something important seriously?"
"The movie shows both presidential candidates changing their positions to win Bud's vote. Do you think politicians do this in real life? Is that okay?"
"Bud says his vote doesn't matter at the beginning. By the end, does he still believe that? Do YOU think one vote matters?"
"How do you think Bud's drinking affects Molly? What responsibilities do parents have to their kids, even when life is hard?"

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