And So It Goes parents guide

And So It Goes Parent Guide

The grey hairs of Hollywood come out in abundance in this romantic comedy, but even adults familiar with these actors will be disappointed by the screenplay's unfortunate inclusion of crass humor.

Overall C+

Oren (Michael Douglas) is a miserable old cuss -- and he's happy that way. But his peaceful arrogance is destroyed when his granddaughter (Sterling Jerins) is dumped off at his door, and he is forced to ask his neighbor (Diane Keaton) for some parental assistance.

Release date July 25, 2014

Violence B
Sexual Content C+
Profanity C
Substance Use C-

Why is And So It Goes rated PG-13? The MPAA rated And So It Goes PG-13 for some sexual references and drug elements.

Run Time: 94 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

The grey hairs of Hollywood come out in abundance in this romantic drama in which Michael Douglas plays Oren Little, a cranky, washed up real estate agent who sits on the front porch of his fourplex guzzling martinis while yelling at the neighbors. And just to make sure we know he’s a real curmudgeon, he hates dogs and kids too.

Meanwhile Leah (Diane Keaton), his tenant living next door is, a charming lounge singer with a great voice—if she could only get through one of her ballads without breaking into tears. Leah has a history and her landlord doesn’t want to hear about it.

Oren is obsessed with selling one last house before retirement. It’s an overpriced mansion he’s not willing to let go for a penny under the list price. But his focus is interrupted when a face from the past suddenly reappears in his life. Kyle (Austin Lysy) is Oren’s estranged son. As a teen he got into the wrong crowd and was caught up in a net of substance abuse. Now, after turning his life around, he’s been convicted on trumped up charges of embezzlement and needs to spend a few months behind bars. Desperate, the young man shows up with Sarah (Sterling Jerins), his ten-year-old daughter in tow. Unaware he even was a grandfather, Oren is less than enthusiastic when Kyle asks him to watch the girl while he serves his time. It isn’t until neighborly curiosity gets Leah involved in the situation that a warmer welcome is extended.

It’s highly unlikely you’ll have kids clamoring to see Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton, even though their lengthy careers have made them movie greats. Nor will kids likely be interested in watching retirement-aged characters impulsively rediscovering intimacy after an evening’s conversation (the scene cuts early and we see them in bed afterward). Yet even adults familiar with these actors will be disappointed by the screenplay’s unfortunate inclusion of crass humor and sexual remarks. The script is also peppered with a moderate amount of scatological profanity, religious expletives and crude anatomical terms, and an elderly character frequently seen smoking. As well, alcohol use is frequent, with inebriation depicted on occasion.

Can a cute little girl and a lovely lady melt the heart of a grumpy, old codger? Well let’s just say I wasn’t too surprised with the sentimental ending. However getting there will require Oren to experience positive character development on a massive scale and it begins with his acceptance of his responsibilities as a grandparent and a father. The implied timeframe of a couple of months certainly is a stretch, and the angelic Leah and Sarah are almost too perfect for the job—although Keaton and Jerins’ performances certainly help to convince us that anything is possible. Perhaps the biggest leap of faith we are asked to accept is the notion that a reformed Oren is a better choice for Leah than her adoring piano accompanist (played by director Rob Reiner). Although real life experience might suggests otherwise, the plot keeps believing… and so it goes.

Directed by Rob Reiner. Starring Michael Douglas, Diane Keaton. Running time: 94 minutes. Theatrical release July 25, 2014. Updated

And So It Goes
Rating & Content Info

Why is And So It Goes rated PG-13? And So It Goes is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some sexual references and drug elements.

Violence: A man shoots a dog with a paintball gun. A man is verbally aggressive and cantankerous toward others. A woman is seen in labor and she begs a reluctant man to assist her in delivering the baby.

Sexual Content: An unmarried couple begins kissing passionately and enters a bedroom. The scene cuts to a shot of them together in bed (with bare shoulders). A dog is seen making sexual motions with a teddy bear. Characters discuss sexuality using clinical and crude terms. A young boy removes a wet bathing suit (we don’t see any nudity) and another character makes repeated crude remarks regarding his anatomy. Characters discuss an unwed pregnancy and a woman discusses losing a baby.

Language: Crude terms for male anatomy and other anatomical terms are used. Profanities include at lest a half-dozen scatological slangs and terms of deity.

Alcohol / Drug Use: References are made to characters that have used or are using illegal drugs, and addictions are implied. Characters drink frequently, sometimes to relieve stress and other times to the point of inebriation. An elderly character smokes frequently.

Other: Discussions surrounding the deaths of spouses and parents are included. Some scenes may be sad or frightening for young children.

Page last updated

And So It Goes Parents' Guide

How does the untimely death of a loved one affect the way a person views the world? What are some strategies for overcoming this sorrow? How can we tell when grieving moves past being productive and becomes disabling? This page on Oprah.com has some useful tips and thoughts on this difficult process.

Prior to her romantic involvement, how do Leah and Orin’s other neighbors show support and compassion toward Sarah and her difficult grandfather? What can we do in our neighborhoods to care and support others?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of And So It Goes movie is November 18, 2014. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: And So It Goes
Release Date: 18 November 2014
And So It Goes releases to home video (Blu-ray or DVD) with the following special features:
- Theatrical Trailer

Related home video titles:

Diane Keaton plays a supportive mom in Father Of The Bride and Father Of The Bride Part II. Michael Douglas is a less than stellar fathers in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and The In-Laws. And the charm of a young girl changes a crusty codger in The Magic of Belle Isle.

Related news about And So It Goes

Home Video Releases for November 18

Home Video Releases for November 18

{parents:pull_quote}