Sweet animated adaptation about losing a grandparent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
The theme of death is prevalent: A grandparent is approaching the end of their life due to a terminal illness. There is a character who is a ghost but it's never spooky in its depiction, purely spiritual.
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The film is about grief; with that come positive messages in how to adapt to a life without those we love and to make sense of our emotions. Feelings of grief can be confusing and complicated, but that's OK. The closeness of family can be a beautiful thing. Plenty of examples of what good communication, courage, and curiosity look like.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Mary is a very strong-willed young girl. She is ambitious, especially in her passion for cooking. She is also emotionally capable and very real in how she reacts to her grandmother's illness. She can be quite upfront, and her honesty can get her in trouble, as some misinterpret it as rudeness. Her Granny is fiercely protective of her granddaughter and vice versa. They are extremely close, illustrated by when they sneak out of hospital against the doctor's wishes, to offer Granny a special day out on the road.
Educational Value
some
Offers young viewers a form of emotional education, normalizing the complex feelings that many kids have when they first experience grief, in this case the death of a grandmother. Kids may learn something about cooking based on Mary's own passion and what she learns from her grandmother in the kitchen. They may also be encouraged to seek out the original book that the film is based on.
Diverse Representations
some
Very strong female representation: Different generations of women lead the way, from the young to a grandmother. It is not only a film about grief, but of strong female dynamics and characteristics that exist within a family. Main character Mary is a determined young girl who is given agency in managing her emotions and dealing with what life throws at her. Mary and her Irish family are White, but she has a close friend who is Black. Fleeting moment when a character refers to racism, though she is calling a bad plate of pasta racist, due to how insulting it is to Italians.
Parents need to know that A Greyhound of a Girl is a heartfelt animated film about a young girl, Mary (voiced by Mia O'Connor), who—together with her family—is facing the prospect of her Granny (Rosaleen Linehan) dying. It's based on the popular children's book of the same name by Roddy Doyle, and deals with issues of grief and the different emotions that brings. It's handled in a sensitive and caring manner, helping younger viewers understand—and possibly relate—to what Mary is going through. Mary and her Granny have a great relationship, and Mary herself is a positive young role model; she can be rude at times and get angry, but she's also ambitious and cares a lot. Indeed, the film has strong female representation across multiple generations as Mary and her family enjoy a close bond. The film has some fantasy and spiritual elements, such as when a spirit returns from the afterlife, but it's tender rather than spooky. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
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What's the Story?
A GREYHOUND OF A GIRL is the story of Mary (voiced by Mia O'Connor), who is struggling to come to terms with the fact that her Granny (Rosaleen Linehan) is dying. Alongside her mother (Sharon Horgan) and father (Brendan Gleeson), it's a family coming to terms with the loss of an important presence in the world—and it's a matter made all the more confusing when a stranger called Tansey (Charlene McKenna) turns up with a job to do.
This heartwarming animation has cross-generation appeal and will touch families of all ages. There's a lot to unpack with A Greyhound of a Girl, as it's a film that works on many levels. Older viewers who can recount their own first experiences of grief will appreciate the different layers to this narrative and how it blends in the spirituality with the more stark and realistic aspects. But for those too young to quite understand, the movie also just plays well as an entertaining animation. It's funny at times, with a sharp screenplay, and has a relatable and likable lead in the young Mary. It's a profound, uplifting story that helps its young viewers attempt to make sense of something senseless: the death of a loved one. But take note, parents: There could be some sage advice in there for you, too.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how grief was portrayed in A Greyhound of a Girl. Have you ever lost someone important to you? How did it make you feel? Did the film capture these emotions in a way you related to?
Talk about the strong bond between Mary and her Granny. Do you have someone in your family you're close to? How did this relationship compare?
What character strengths did Mary display? Why are these important? Can you think of a time in your own life when you've demonstrated these life skills?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
