Potty-mouthed British comedy has lots and lots of swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Language
a lot
Strong language throughout with profane and crass letters being at the heart of the story. Some of the cursing is very creative and makes for much of the film's humor. There is one use of "c--t," with multiple other uses and variants of "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "bloody," "buggers," "freak," and "piss." Also sexual language involving words such as "p---y," "cum," "whore," and British slang like "twat" and "fannies." A young child is heard swearing. There is some blasphemous language too, such as the expression "Jesus shat on the cross." The words "Die Slut" are painted on a door.
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There is some violent language and threats, such as "I'll slit you from ear to ear." A character gets hit over the head with a shovel, while another attempts to start a fight, though their punch doesn't land. Reference to someone dying in World War I and another to someone drowning. A character headbutts someone at a birthday party. A brief scuffle in a prison yard. An older character is shocked by the contents of a letter, collapses and dies. Their dead body is seen under a sheet. A father displays controlling and cruel behavior toward their adult daughter.
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There is one moment of nudity, when a character lifts up their dress to reveal their bare bottom. The same character is walked in on while on the toilet and is also seen in the bath. Characters are heard having sex via their next-door neighbor, who can hear it through the walls. Letters containing some sexually degrading comments are shown and read aloud. Mention of promiscuity and a child being born out of wedlock. Characters use sexual language when cursing. Two police officers are interrupted while discussing a story of a sexual nature -- nothing graphic heard. A character slaps their partner on the backside.
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Characters can be seen smoking on occasion, which includes both cigarettes and a pipe. A child is seen smoking in one scene, though is swiftly reprimanded. Another kid is given a cigarette as a reward for lying to the police. There is also drinking, both at home and at the local pub. One scene in a pub involves several drunk people.
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The movie is a female-led assemble with characters of different races, ages, and body sizes who refuse to be confined by the roles and expectations of women at the time, not to mention some sexist and bullying behavior they face. One of the roles belongs to a female police officer who is of Southern Asian descent. She is undervalued and mistreated in the workplace, but proves to be a better police officer than all of her male colleagues. One of the women is in a interracial relationship with a Black man who is bringing up her daughter like his own. The movie is directed by the female director Thea Sharrock.
Don't underestimate people, especially based on their sex and/or age. A group of women show great teamwork when joining forces in the name of justice, to overcome and resolve issues that seek to ensure a fair outcome for all. A character stands up to a controlling bully.
Positive Role Models
some
Police Officer Gladys is strong-willed and ambitious and won't let the misconceptions and prejudice of others bring her down, instead using it as an incentive to prove people wrong. There is also something empowering about the behavior of Rose, who refuses to behave how society and patriarchy dictates. She does, however, break some laws along the way and swears A LOT. Edith wants to be seen as an upstanding member of society, but can come across as prudish and even snobby. Her father, Edward, represents the very worst of society. He is a vindictive, controlling bully, who has racist and sexist tendencies and gaslights Edith.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Wicked Little Letters is a British comedy drama, based on real events, with incredibly crass language throughout, though it's presented in a comedic way. When Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) begins to receive highly offensive letters, all fingers point to her next-door neighbor, Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). The letters, which are frequently read out, feature all matter of swear words, with variants of "f--k," "s--t," and more. Rose herself is also quick to swear. Much of the language is also of a sexual nature and there is one use of "c--t." Outside of all this is a quietly empowering feminist movie that gives power and autonomy to women during a time in society when it was not commonplace. Edith's father, Edward (Timothy Spall), in particular, is a controlling bully. Police Officer Gladys (Anjana Vasan) is constantly undermined and undervalued -- but she proves everyone wrong. There is a scene when people are heard having sex, as well as a moment when a lady flashes her backside to the police. There is also occasional violence -- played for comedic effect -- and characters smoke (including a child) and some are seen drunk in a pub. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Olivia Colman shows how those little, abuses of power, as well as the big ones create misery. How patriarchal oppression of women can ruin live. She also shows us how women come together, fight back, and help each other through those times. All the while, leading us through a hilarious mystery with wonderful swears. They are Marvelous! So fun and creative. The women are wonderful, the journey gave words and vision to the parts of me that have been oppressed and abused. It was perfect.
What's the Story?
WICKED LITTLE LETTERStakes place in Littlehampton, England, in the 1920s, where two neighbors, who are total opposites, live next door to each other. Edith Swan (Olivia Colman), who lives with her tyrannical father (Timothy Spall), is conservative and prudish. While Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley), who moved to the area after the death of her partner during World War I, is free-spirited and fearless. The pair fall out, and in the wake of their disagreement, Edith starts to receive lots of letters full of crass and degrading language, and so naturally the police suspect it must be Rose behind it all. Though for Police Officer Gladys (Anjana Vasan), there could be more here than meets the eye.
For a movie full of some of the most creative expletives you're likely to hear, it's perhaps odd to call it endearing and at times laugh out funny. What is for certain is that Wicked Little Letters, based on real events, feels quintessentially British. The humour does survive primarily from the colorful language in the letters that the prudish Edith receives as well as the profane turns of phrase used by her neighbor and number one suspect Rose. For some, this humor may wear thin after a while. But the film also has some profound elements to the narrative, which often prove to be its biggest strengths. For example, the sadness that exists within the character of Edith, especially concerning the tumultuous relationship with her oppressive father, carries significant weight. Though so much of that is down to the hugely impressive, and ever-dependable Colman. She brings such nuance and humanity to a role that in the wrong hands could have felt cartoonish. But, while she handles the comedic elements with aplomb, she also takes the role seriously as she always does, and in turn, the film is all the better for it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the language used in Wicked Little Letters. Was it offensive, funny, or both? What did it add to the story?
Police Officer Gladys was underestimated and undervalued in her role. Why do you think this was? What character strengths did she display to prove people wrong?
The film studies the roles and expectations of women in Britain in the 1920s. Was there anything that surprised you? How has society changed?
Discuss the relationship between Edith and her father. How did Edward behave toward his daughter? Why do you think this was? What impact did it have?
MPAA explanation:
language throughout and sexual material
Last updated:
August 7, 2024
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