There are lots of spoilers ahead, but this film is
definitely relevant to adoption. Want to avoid the spoilers? In a nutshell:
Probably good for most kids 12 and up; parents should be there to watch it with them. Caution for kids
ages 9-11. Probably best to skip for kids ages 8 and under.
As a young boy, Henry Turner longed for his father, Will.
Will has been cursed to a pirate ship; he can never return to land, but Henry promises
to one day free him. Years later, 19-year-old Henry is aboard a British naval
ship which is boarded by ghost pirates. The captain leaves Henry as the only
survivor, and sends Henry with a message to give to the infamous Captain Jack
Sparrow. On his journey, Henry meets Carina, a brilliant young scientist who
has been sentenced to death for witchcraft because the community has
misinterpreted her knowledge. Both on the run from the law, Henry and Carina seek
a relic which will break the curse which plagues Henry’s father, and which Carina
believes will bring her closer to the father she has never known.
The ghost pirate initially started hunting other pirates to
avenge the deaths of his father and grandfather.
YE BE WARNED: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD THE REST OF THE WAY. TURN
BACK NOW IF YE WANT TO BE SURPRISED…
The Adoption
Connection
(BIG SPOILERS IN THIS SECTION)
Henry’s father has been absent for much of his life. Henry
longs to free his father from a curse which has kept them separated, and his
father sends Henry away, not wanting Henry to endanger himself. Henry does
eventually free his father. Some viewers who have been separated from their
parents will relate to Henry’s plea to Will, “I want you to come home,” and
might be saddened by Will’s reply, “My curse will never be broken.”
Carina Smyth was found on an orphanage doorstep with only a first
name and a small book, her only links to her father. She has never known either
of her parents. The book her father left her is the diary of Galileo, and from
this Carina believes that her father was an explorer who has a quest for her.
In following his steps and finding a treasure that he had sought, Carina
believes that she will grow closer to him. She explains that she has to find it
because it is “the only link to who my father was.” She later refers to the
diary he left her as “my birthright.” Another character offhanded comments, “So
you’re an orphan.” Through her quest, Carina meets her father. He
is a famous pirate. Before she realizes that he is her father, he comments to
another charater, “I placed her in an orphanage and never thought she’d make a
life of her own… that leads her back to me. A woman like that would never
believe that a swine like me could be her blood.” and shortly after Carina
realizes that he is her father, he sacrifices his life to save hers. Carina
decides to take his surname as her own.
Carina’s father knew that he had had a daughter, but he
believed that it would be better for her not to know that her father was a
pirate. He believed that she would want nothing to do with him. However, she
longed for him, and each found meaning in their brief relationship.
Strong Points
Even though a father and a son, and a father and a daughter,
are separated by years, their love for each other is evident. I particularly loved
the warmth that Carina’s father showed for her; it was surprising, given other
aspects of his history. Carina and her father are able to share the discovery
of something they each had long sought. As Carina realizes that this pirate may
be significant n her life, she asks, “Who am I to you?” He responds, “Treasure.”
It’s quite a beautiful response, and just after it, he gives his life to save
hers. Carina is very happy to know her true birth surname. Some viewers may
relate.
Henry is very happy to see his long-lost father return.
Challenges
The leader of the ghost pirates looks grotesque, and many
sailors are killed. Sexual innuendo, the threat of a guillotine, a frightening
witch, and a bloodthirsty crowd hoping to see executions could all make this
movie particularly scary to young children who might otherwise be drawn to this
Disney franchise. Jack Sparrow’s dependence on alcohol may also be concerning
to some viewers.
Carina’s father dies shortly after she meets him; he does so
to save her, and she honors his memory, but the quick loss of something that
she had desired for so long could be hard for viewers who have also longed for
missing parents. Henry appears likely to remain in relationship with his
parents, and his parents will likely fill a parental role for Carina as well.
Recommendations
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is not a
kids’ movie – but in many ways, it is an adoption-relevant film. Characters
have lost parents, and long for them. Distance does not squelch love, but love
does not erase the pain of distance. Well-intentioned secrets still have cost. Violence
and parental loss will probably push this one out of bounds for most kids
touched by adoption, but pre-teens and teens ages 12 or so and up could both
enjoy this film and benefit from the conversations that the film could invite. If
your pre-teen or teen is going to watch this, it’d be good for you to see it as
well; there’s plenty of stuff to talk about, and there are a few points which
could trouble a pre-teen if they don’t have someone to talk it over with. For
what it’s worth, I also found the film quite entertaining. Should be good for
12 and up, caution for 9-11, and probably not a good fit for most kids 8 and
under, especially in families touched by adoption issues.
Questions for Discussion
What do you think Henry felt like when he saw his father
return? What did you feel like watching it?
Why was Carina so intent on reading “the map that no man can
read?”
Why did Carina’s father intend to keep her a secret? In what
ways do you think he was thinking well? In what ways do you think he might have
thought this out poorly?
What links you to your past? What links you to your future?
More Resources
Was this review helpful for you? I’ve got a year’s worth of
them in my book, ADOPTION AT THE MOVIES. Check it out on Amazon!
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