Intimate thriller has strong language, suicide references.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Sex, Romance & Nudity
a lot
Oral sex portrayed on-screen a couple of times. Kissing and caressing. Characters shown in bed with the implication sex has taken place -- character seen naked from behind.
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Character drowns in lake. Physical fight involves holding a character underwater. Death of a child and suicide mentioned. Person shot in a black and white movie watched by a character, but no gore is shown. A bloody cut is seen on a character's hand. Occasions when a parent verbally and emotionally bullies their teenage son.
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Lead character is played by a multiracial actor of Irish and African-American descent. He is portrayed as kind and intelligent next to the more negative qualities of the White people he works for. There is only one female character, who is sidelined for much of the film, but becomes more central toward the end.
Small acts of compassion can have a big impact. Unacknowledged grief may become destructive. Money and power can corrupt.
Positive Role Models
a little
Liam is intelligent, polite, and respectful, and shows compassion and understanding toward his student, Bertie. Mr. Sinclair is arrogant and pompous. He bullies his son and puts his work before everything else, creating an atmosphere of fear in his home. His wife, Hélène, is quietly manipulative. She shows concern for Bertie, but ultimately puts her own needs first. Bertie is initially rude and disrespectful toward Liam, but gradually shows his behavior comes from a place of fear and low-self esteem, eventually forming a trusting friendship with his tutor.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Lesson is a gripping thriller with strong language, bullying, scenes of a sexual nature, and suicide references. The story centers around Liam (Daryl McCormack) who comes to the home of rich, successful writer J.M. Sinclair (Richard E. Grant) to tutor his teenage son, Bertie (Stephen McMillan) for a university application. Liam shows many positive qualities, including compassion, though other adults around him are arrogant and manipulative. There are references to suicide and the death of a son, and a character drowns on-screen. Strong language includes "f--k" and "s--t," and there is smoking and drinking -- to the point of intoxication in one instance. Oral sex is portrayed and a male character is seen fully naked from behind. Sinclair is verbally and emotionally bullying toward Bertie. More of a slow-burn drama than a fast-paced thriller, the film is well acted by a strong cast and maintains tension throughout, but the mature content and themes make it unsuitable for children and younger teens. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
This is a sophisticated and well crafted crime story about aristocrats dealing with a family trauma. The characters egos are as tangled as the beautiful gardens on the estate where the movie is set.The plot shows an aspiring and ambitious young writer ( Liam) who accepts a tutoring position at the family estate of a famous author ( Sinclair). The first half of the film deals with the erudite world of famous literary geniuses, and those who are caught in their emotional wake.
The first half feels like the plot to any novel about literature and English aristocracy. Feigned formality, classical music debates, literary tantrums from Sinclair, and snobbery all around create the dramatic backdrop for the real plot.
Liam is hired by Sinclair’s wife Helene to tutor their son Bertie, who is a quiet and conflicted student aspiring ( and being pushed by his parents) to get into the prestigious English literature program at Oxford. But Liam is also delighted to have this job, since he’s writing his graduate thesis about Sinclair, and is also an aspiring author. Sexual tension is palpable between Liam and Helene, who is matriarchal and beautiful. She is a cougar. Is she also a lioness, the primary hunter in this pack?
As the movie progresses, it turns dark as Liam is ensnared in a web of family secrets, repressed sexuality and vengence. Sinclair, his wife Hélène ( played by Academy Award nominee Julie Delpy), and their son Bertie have a dark secret and hide this behind upper class civility. But as this secret is revealed it threatens their future as well as Liam’s. As the lines blur between scholar and protégé ( Sinclair and Liam), and employer and lover ( Helene and Liam) betrayal becomes the theme of this movie.
The plot of the lesson is nothing new. It’s essentially a British murder mystery, but the Lesson is much more about the characters than the storyline. It’s a beautifully filmed British thriller.
What's the Story?
In THE LESSON, Liam (Daryl McCormack) accepts a position at the home of legendary author J.M. Sinclair (Richard E. Grant) to tutor his teenage son, Bertie (Stephen McMillan). As he settles into the family's impressive home, cracks begin to show and masks begin to slip, uncovering deadly secrets that defy fiction.
While the setup feels familiar -- a budding writer takes a position at the home of his successful idol and gradually ingratiates himself into the family -- this British thriller never feels as formulaic as its plot may sound. Strong performances from the entire cast elevate an impressive first feature film screenplay from Alex MacKeith, while director Alice Troughton, best known for her TV work, makes a similarly strong debut into movies with The Lesson. Characters are complex and layered, scenes revealing small snippets of family life unfolding in imposing spaces behind half-closed doors. A playful score by Isobel Waller-Bridge creates a weirdly unsettling atmosphere amid the tension and oppression of the family dynamic that adds further intrigue and cements the film's distinctive tone. It's a dark affair, from which viewers may emerge as bewildered as its lead, though aware that they've borne witness to something subtly unique.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of facades in The Lesson. What were different characters trying to portray to others and why? How did their true feelings and personalities reveal themselves during the film?
Grief is a theme in the film. How were the different characters grieving and how did it affect their lives and the way they interacted with others? What preventive measures can you take in order to avoid destructive behavior?
Liam shows compassion toward his student, Bertie. How did this impact Bertie's life? Why is compassion such an important character strength?
Talk about the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How did the movie portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
MPAA explanation:
language and some sexual content
Last updated:
June 26, 2024
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