Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the definition of a 'fine' movie—it won't win awards (critics destroyed it), but it won't traumatize anyone either.

The father-daughter reconciliation is genuinely sweet, and for families navigating divorce or loss, it offers a safe way to practice talking about hard feelings. Miley Cyrus is earnest, Greg Kinnear is lovely, and the beach setting is pretty.

That said, it's melodramatic, predictable, and—let's be honest—kind of boring if you're not already in the target demo of 11-14 year old girls who want to cry about a boy and a dying parent. The 22% critic score isn't wrong; this is Nicholas Sparks formula executed with Disney Channel polish.

If your pre-teen needs a good cry and you want to talk about forgiveness afterward, queue it up. If you're looking for something the whole family will actually enjoy, keep scrolling.

Age Fit

Best for ages 11-15 who are ready for emotional family drama and first-love stories. The divorce, grief, and terminal illness themes require some maturity, but the PG rating and respectful tone make it accessible for pre-teens. Older teens may find it too sappy and dated.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Models family reconciliation, forgiveness, and working through grief in emotionally healthy ways. The father-daughter reconnection is genuinely tender, and the romance subplot shows respect and communication. Mild sensuality and some 'skimpy' clothing keep it from scoring higher, but the core emotional arc is sound. The divorce and family conflict themes are handled with maturity appropriate for pre-teens.

Imaginative

48

Straightforward teen romance drama with minimal creative spark. Music is central to the plot but mostly serves as emotional backdrop rather than inviting curiosity or creative exploration. The beach-town setting is pleasant but generic. It's a paint-by-numbers Nicholas Sparks adaptation (he wrote the novel specifically for the film) that hits expected beats without much originality—critics gave it 22% on RT for a reason.

Safe

78

PG-rated with mild themes, minimal violence (brief, non-graphic moments), light profanity, and mild sensuality that's telegraphed rather than shocking. The emotional weight—divorce, terminal illness, grief—is substantial but age-appropriate for 11+ viewers and gives families a chance to discuss hard topics. No gore, nudity, or truly surprising content. The 'tear-jerker' nature might be intense for sensitive kids but isn't unsafe.

Enriching

64

Offers meaningful conversations about forgiveness, parental divorce, grief, and first love. The father-daughter reconciliation arc provides genuine emotional growth and models repairing broken relationships. Music as a healing force is a nice through-line. However, the execution is melodramatic and the insights are fairly surface-level—it's more 'feelings practice' than deep character study. Still, for pre-teens navigating family change, it can spark useful discussions.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely moving father-daughter reconciliation that models forgiveness and repairing broken family bonds
Safe entry point for discussing divorce, grief, and terminal illness with pre-teens who need practice with big emotions
Music-as-healing theme is sweet, and Greg Kinnear brings warmth to the dad role
The romance is respectful and communication-focused—Liam Hemsworth is charming without being creepy
Available on Disney+ for easy family viewing

⚠

What to Watch For

Heavy emotional content: terminal illness subplot will produce tears, especially in the third act
Mild sensuality and beach attire that some parents may find unnecessary for younger viewers
Melodramatic execution—critics savaged it, and even teen fans admit it's 'awkward' in places
Best for kids 11-13 with a parent around to debrief the family conflict and grief themes

Conversation Starters

"How do you think Ronnie felt about her dad at the beginning versus the end? What changed?"
"Have you ever had to forgive someone for something that felt really big? What was that like?"
"Why do you think music was so important to both Ronnie and her dad?"
"What would you do if you were separated from a parent for a long time and then had to spend a whole summer together?"

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