Approved for 12+

The Real Howard Spitz

Howard Spitz is a cranky, has-been detective novelist out of money and out of luck - until he meets 8-year-old Samantha, who convinces him he has what it takes to write children's books.
6
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
2
Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

It takes something a little more than an actor—even a good actor—to contribute to a production like The Real Howard Spitz. It takes willingness, versatility. It takes someone aware of his or her own talents; and just as good, a spot to play a little silly for the kids’ sake. Such an actor as Kelsey Grammer to play the titular role of a worn-out, grumpy-to-his-ends novelist is perfect for the project, and with a little twinkle of belief in his eye as Howard Spitz, the film comes together into a sweet whole.

Just because it is on the silly side for the kids’ sake does not deem this movie exclusively for kids. It should be, with its friendly plot that takes adults as seriously as it does children. It is so refreshing to see a child actor’s aura matter to each scene in the film, and young Genevieve Tessier’s performance works well as a foil to Grammer, who knows how to play cranky and irritable—and how to change heart. No matter what age, we can see his character through his acting and not just by who he says he is. Howard Spitz, however, contains a lot of language in the beginning, written into the screenplay to provide edginess to the title character. But it is futile language, simply because Grammer can communicate these feelings without it.

With all of that in mind, it is otherwise a good, recommendable film on its own legs. Kids will find its themes of surrogate parenthood warming, and parents will enjoy see a familiar face in Grammer. Dove is proud to award the film with approval for Ages 12+.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

2
Integrity

Character narrates his writing, which includes violent acts; character gets shot at for intruding; historical reference to drinking oneself to death

0
Sex

None

2
Language

"SOB"; rude language like "shut up"; "Oh God"; "Hell"; "Bull****"; "F" word bleeped out

1
Violence

Character narrates his writing, which includes violent acts; character gets shot at for intruding; historical reference to drinking oneself to death

2
Drugs

Character drinks something that could be liquor; character frequently smokes; joke about a fertility drug; character goes to a bar and orders a whiskey.

0
Nudity

None

1
Other

Character often shows rudeness to others, including kids.

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