This apocalyptic movie is harrowing and yet has some moments of true inspiration. Viggo Mortensen is terrific as a father who protects his son and is always in search of food during the bleak aftermath of a cataclysmic event which has wiped out most of human life on earth. Mortensen’s character, simply named “The Man” during the credits, eats as little as possible so his son can have more. He deals with the loss of his wife (Charlize Theron), who became so depressed and concerned for their son’s survival that she simply left home one day so their chances of survival would be greater.
The content in the movie is the problem for us. The father plans the possible taking of his and his son’s life should cannibals find them. At one point he holds a gun to his son’s head when he believes a female character is about to break in on them. There is the use of strong language as well and a couple of brief scenes of rear male nudity.
The father’s determination to stay with his son, played excellently by newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee, as long as possible is a real human and emotional part of the film. However, the content puts it outside of receiving Dove’s “Family-Approved” Seal.
