SummarySet in Santa Barbara, 20th Century Women follows Dorothea Fields (Annette Bening), a determined single mother in her mid-50s who is raising her adolescent son, Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann) at a moment brimming with cultural change and rebellion. Dorothea enlists the help of two younger women in Jamie’s upbringing — via Abbie (Greta Gerwig), a free... Read More
Directed By:Mike Mills
Written By:Mike Mills
20th Century Women
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
83
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
90% Positive
36 Reviews
36 Reviews
10% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Feb 9, 2017
100
Bright light and dazzling colour dominate, as befits the Santa Barbara setting, while every scene is packed with moments that are in turn engaging, amusing, poignant, awkward, heart-warming, heart-breaking and profound.
User score
Generally Favorable
75% Positive
130 Ratings
130 Ratings
18% Mixed
31 Ratings
31 Ratings
7% Negative
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
Nov 9, 2022
10
I strongly recommend watching "20th Century Women", Mills' script and casting are so 'real' that we sense we know the characters. It takes place in Santa Barbara in 1979. Most part of the movie is narrated by Jamie, a 15-year-old nice feminist guy who tries to show us how special his 55-year-old mother, Dorothea, who "comes from the Depression" is, but sometimes the other characters get the chance to narrating, introducing themselves, telling us who they are and where are they going to, tissuing past present and future. The cultural changes are some of the struggles Dorothea must face throughout the movie. Not only does she try to understand this new era of skateboarding and punk music, listening to people beyond the surface but also hanging out with her two tenants: Abbie - the marvelous GRETA GERWIG, and a mechanic who is tolerant and helpful. Abbie is a hardcore feminist photographer recovering from cervical cancer, in some of the funniest and most political scenes in the movie, she gives Jamie some feminist books and lessons, about the importance of **** stimulation" and not be frightened with women periods. Jamie's best friend from childhood, a depressed girl named Julie, also haver her space in the movie. As she is so unhappy at home, carry on crawling through Jamie's window at night to sleep, without sex. Jamie is in love with her, but as she does not wanna have sex with him, he respects her decision, and tries to be a good guy and just be there for her and his mother and his friend Abbie. It's definitely worth watching!
Aug 4, 2021
10
Such a marvelous movie. Full of heart, thought-provoking and a wonderful and stellar cast. I just loved it.
Jan 18, 2017
89
This movie is delightful – funny and dreamy and sometimes desperately sad.
Feb 9, 2017
80
An insightful and, on occasion, laugh-out-loud piece of filmmaking. Artfully shot and structured, while its warmth and wit shine as brightly as the Californian sun.
Oct 12, 2016
80
The characters of 20th Century Women, more interconnected than most, generate a group narrative that’s just substantial enough to keep you in thrall by how uninhibited a movie can be.
Dec 22, 2016
75
Without Bening, whose performance is a watchful and laid-back marvel, 20th Century Women, written and directed by Mike Mills, would still be borderline worth seeing because of its supporting cast.
Dec 27, 2016
40
Despite the movie's title and Bening's central role, women are oddly peripheral.
Apr 21, 2017
10
20th Century Women tells a story that is more complex than what it looks, and it feels real and gives a sense I can't describe at the moment, but it was breathtaking and beautiful. I haven't seen Beginners but after watching this I'm interested in seeing more of Mike Mills.
Aug 8, 2017
6
Cute, but predictably band-of-quirky-strangers bond together. Nice acting but too much ho-hum dancing together to show how joyful they are. At the end I wondered what the fuss was.
Jan 30, 2017
6
It is a time period movie, set in 1979 in Santa Barbara where a single mom in her mid 50th is raising her only teenage son. There are good performances in this movie, particularly from Annette Bening playing the mom.
The movie is rich with interesting situations and funny remarks. Absence of a plot does not help making the movie stand out. The film is a collection of episodes that makes a whole object if you look at it from a distance, similar to a painting by an impressionist. In short, the film is atmospheric but boring at times. Worth seeing although not remarkable or memorable.
Jun 8, 2017
3
If you're looking for good acting, and deep emotional angst...this movie might be for you. Unfortunately, all I felt was frustration throughout the entire viewing. But then, I watch movies to be entertained, rather than feel deep emotional turmoil, or receive a profound social message or statement. The Netflix rating is more appropriate.
Apr 1, 2017
3
I usually like Annette Bening, but found her character in this movie incredibly annoying. Half the time she's spouting world-weary wisdom; the other half, she's so inexplicably dopey, you want to dump a bucket of coffee on her and tell her to get a freakin' clue. (Also distracting is the fact that she's supposed to be 55, but looks 70.) The whole idea that this mom is on the one hand such a liberated open-minded feminist, and other the other hand, so clueless about how to raise her kid, just seems ludicrous. There might be some familiar nods and smiles for viewers who recall the 1970s and '80s. Overall, though, this coming-of-age tale is no more interesting than yours or anyone else's.
Production Company:
- A24
- Annapurna Pictures
- Modern People
- Archer Gray
Release Date:Dec 28, 2016
Duration:1 h 59 m
Rating:R
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 2 Nominations
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
CinEuphoria Awards
• 3 Wins & 11 Nominations
