Here Today parents guide

Here Today Parent Guide

Plenty of humor lightens this depiction of the challenges of aging.

Overall B+

In Theaters: Comedy writer Charlie Burnz sees his career fade as young writers overtake him and medical issues slow him down. Then he meets Emma Payge, a singer much younger than he is. The two form a fast friendship...but will it survive his illness?

Release date May 7, 2021

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

Why is Here Today rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Here Today PG-13 for strong language, and sexual references.

Run Time: 117 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Charlie Burnz (Billy Crystal) teeters somewhere between “here today” and “gone tomorrow.” After a thirty-plus year career as a comedy writer, he isn’t quite as up to date as his little-used cell phone, nor as obsolete as his typewriter. Still plying his trade as a contributor and mentor for a weekly TV sketch show, Charlie has enough celebrity to be auctioned off as a prize in a charity fundraiser. Yet the winner of the lunch date with the once-famous scriptwriter isn’t the fawning fan he was expecting.

Emma Payge (Tiffany Haddish) is a loud, brash black woman who has taken the seat at the table away from her cheating boyfriend. Oblivious of Charlie’s identify, she views the meeting as revenge and a free lunch. But when the dining experience turns into a medical emergency, Charlie ends up at the hospital where he is mistaken as Emma’s nearest loved one and expected to foot her bills.

Although Charlie tries hard to unburden himself of Emma and the strange predicament she has thrust upon him, the exuberant, younger woman proves hard to get rid of. And as their unlikely friendship grows, it becomes apparent - ironically - that Charlie also comes with a lot of baggage.

With a good dose of humor (and a lot more sexual innuendo, crass comments and coarse language than needed), this movie explores the challenges of aging, facing incurable illnesses, dealing with difficult family members and soothing past grief. While its portrayal of mental deterioration has its flaws (characters are conveniently lucid when the script calls for them to be), this depiction of the early stages of dementia may provide parents and older children a good starting point for discussions about this important subject.

Despite being a little too sentimental, the film also offers an interesting look at judging others, learning to see beyond face value, the power of friendship and the healing effects of family relationships. For viewers of a similar vintage as actor Billy Crystal, there are also some entertaining reminiscing thanks to cameo appearances from other stars teetering between here-today and gone-tomorrow: Sharon Stone, Barry Levinson and Keven Klein, plus violist Itzhak Perlman.

Directed by Billy Crystal. Starring Billy Crystal, Tiffany Haddish, and Louisa Krause. Running time: 117 minutes. Theatrical release May 7, 2021. Updated

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Here Today
Rating & Content Info

Why is Here Today rated PG-13? Here Today is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for strong language, and sexual references.

Violence:  A character has flashbacks of a traumatic incident which include intimidating police officers and a distraught child. A character is nearly hit by a car. A cyclist to fall off a bike. Characters discuss an accidental death, loss and grief.
Sexual Content: The script contains frequent sexual innuendo, crass jokes and crude language. A character uses a hand gesture to imply sex. A woman’s bare backside is seen when she prepares for an injection. A woman goes into labor and a doctor removes her underwear as he helps her give birth. Sexual relations outside of marriage are implied. Characters are shown in bed together. Cheating on one’s partner is discussed. An affectionate kiss is shown.
Profanity: A sexual expletive is used twice. A sexual hand gesture implying a strong expletive is shown. Frequent use of scatological slang, mild profanity, sexual slang words, crude jokes and name-calling. Infrequent use of moderate profanity and terms of deity.
Alcohol / Drug Use: An allergic reaction causes a medical emergency. Character discuss prescription drug use and some of the medications’ side effects. A medication is injected. Characters discuss a time when they were drunk. An impaired driver is mentioned. Characters drink alcohol at a party. A woman is seen with a cigarette.

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Here Today Parents' Guide

Why do you think Charlie is in denial of his health condition? Why does he not want to share this information with his family? Why are those close to him fooled by his behavior? What makes the situation so easy for Emma to see? What would you do if you faced the same challenges as Charlie?

The character Charlie is a comedy play and screen writer. Why does he describe his craft as, “Taking the truth and making it more interesting”? Is embellishing the truth lying? Or is it just good storytelling? Are there times when it is necessary to stick to just the truth?

The character of Emma feels that, “Life is too short for commas!” What does she mean? Why is her way of seeing the world good medicine for Charlie? How is he good medicine for her?
 
Charlie reacts negatively to the consoling words, “Everything is going to be okay.” Why? What things does he feel he needs to make things “okay”? What do you need to make things right in your life?

Home Video

Related home video titles:

The Fathershows the world of dementia from a very personal point of view. Other films that look at aging include Still Alice, Quartetand The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Unlikely friendships can be seen in Hearts in Atlantis and Miracles From Heaven.