Emily (2022): A Parent's Guide To The Movie

Hey guys! Planning to watch "Emily" (2022) and wondering if it's right for the whole family? You've come to the right place! This guide breaks down everything parents need to know about the movie, so you can make an informed decision. Let's dive in!

What is Emily (2022) About?

Emily, a 2022 biographical drama, offers a fictionalized account of the life of Emily Brontë, the enigmatic author behind the classic novel Wuthering Heights. The film delves into Emily's formative years, exploring her relationships, her struggles with societal expectations, and the experiences that shaped her into the literary genius we know today. Think of it as a peek behind the curtain, imagining the passions and inner turmoil that fueled her writing. But remember, it's a dramatization, meaning it takes creative liberties with the known facts of her life. The film explores themes of female ambition and constraints of the 19th century. The movie is not a completely accurate telling of her life, rather a more romanticized version of the story. It really hones in on the theory that the Bronte sisters were truly ahead of their time. Throughout the film, the audience sees Emily struggling to fit in and going against what was expected of her. The cinematography is beautiful and really captures the feeling of the English countryside. But is it appropriate for children? Keep reading to find out.

Is "Emily" (2022) Okay for Kids? A Parent's Guide

Okay, let's get to the heart of the matter: is Emily suitable for younger viewers? Here's a breakdown of the key things to consider:

1. Themes

Emily deals with some pretty mature themes that might be challenging for younger or more sensitive viewers.

• Love and Relationships: The film explores romantic relationships, including elements of infatuation, heartbreak, and forbidden love. Emily experiences intense feelings and navigates complex relationship dynamics. These are not necessarily graphic, but the emotional intensity is definitely present. In addition to romantic relationships, the film also explores the relationship between Emily and her siblings. The audience sees how the siblings supported each other and their close bond. This makes it very relatable for siblings! Though there is love, the movie shows how there can be challenges in keeping relationships going.
• Death and Grief: Death is a recurring theme, as it was a common part of life in the 19th century. The film depicts the loss of loved ones and the grieving process, which can be emotionally difficult for some viewers. The film does a good job of showing how death was simply a part of life during this time and it really sets the tone of the movie. Death is not necessarily shown on screen, but the characters deal with the aftermath of death.
• Social Constraints and Rebellion: The film highlights the limited opportunities available to women in the 19th century and Emily's struggle against these societal expectations. She challenges traditional gender roles and seeks to forge her own path, which could be a valuable topic for discussion with older teens, but might be lost on younger kids. Emily's defiance makes her a strong role model for young girls. Though this is a great message, parents must consider if their children are old enough to understand the time period when this movie takes place. The film accurately depicts some of the challenges that women had to face in this time period.

2. Content

Let's talk specifics. Here's what to watch out for in terms of potentially sensitive content:

• Language: The film contains some strong language, including curse words. While it's not excessively crude, it's present and should be considered. The film stays pretty true to the vernacular of the time period. The language is not modern, so younger children are unlikely to pick up on the bad words. But parents should still be aware of this element! The amount of curse words is limited, so this is not a constant throughout the film.
• Violence: There are no graphic scenes of violence. However, there are moments of emotional intensity and some scenes depicting characters in distress. There is no blood or gore shown during any of the scenes. The scenes that involve characters in distress are not too extreme and should not be too scary for older children. The violence is limited and does not involve weapons.
• Sex and Nudity: The film contains some sensual scenes and implied sexual activity, but nothing explicit is shown. There are some scenes with partial nudity, but it is not gratuitous. Parents should still be cautious of these scenes as they are not appropriate for younger children. The sex and nudity do not last long on screen and are not the main focus of the film. The film focuses more on the story than the sex and nudity elements.

3. Age Recommendation

Given the themes and content described above, Emily is generally best suited for older teenagers and adults. A rating of PG-13 or R would be appropriate, depending on your personal comfort level. Younger viewers may not fully grasp the nuances of the story or be equipped to handle the mature themes.

Talking Points for Parents

If you decide to watch Emily with your older teens, here are some potential talking points to spark discussion:

• The Creative Process: Discuss the inspiration behind Emily Brontë's writing and the role of personal experience in artistic creation. The film shows Emily dealing with different events in her life and how that inspired her writing. The film's way of portraying this is very inspiring for aspiring writers! Parents and teens can talk about what inspires them in their lives and how to channel that into art.
• Gender Roles and Expectations: Analyze the societal constraints placed on women in the 19th century and how Emily challenged those expectations. The film is a great way to introduce the history of gender roles and what women had to deal with in the past. Teens may find this very eye-opening. Use this film to start an important conversation with your children! The film is a great way to open the door to discussing important topics.
• Individuality and Nonconformity: Discuss the importance of being true to oneself and pursuing one's passions, even in the face of adversity. Emily is a strong role model for being an individual and going against the grain. The film encourages others to be different and stand out. This film is the perfect film to show teens who may be struggling with fitting in! The film will help teens to embrace their individuality.
• The Nature of Biography: Discuss the fact that the film is a fictionalized account of Emily Brontë's life and the challenges of portraying historical figures accurately. Parents and teens can do some research to find out what is true and untrue in the film. This will help to understand the history behind the film. The film should not be seen as a complete historical telling! The film is based on the life of Emily Bronte, but is not a complete representation of her real life.

Final Verdict: Is "Emily" (2022) Family-Friendly?

So, is Emily family-friendly? The answer is: it depends. It's not a film for young children due to its mature themes, language, and sensual content. However, it could be a thought-provoking and enriching experience for older teens and adults who are interested in literature, history, and character-driven stories. Just be prepared to have some conversations afterward!