Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that The Invisible Woman tells the story of Charles Dickens and his love affair with a woman he was forced to keep secret. There's a disturbing shot of a dead bloody baby following a miscarriage, plus a train crash and a bloody head wound. Two sex scenes are shown, but are mainly suggested by moaning and heavy breathing rather than any nudity or sexual images. A woman is briefly seen naked from behind, and there's a scene in an alleyway with prostitutes who say "a shilling a blow." Unfortunately, even teens who are interested in Dickens will probably get very little out of this superbly designed, but tepid movie.

Sexual Content

In the prologue (1883, after Dickens' death), Nelly is shown having sex with her current husband; she moans with pleasure, but there's no nudity. In one scene, Dickens walks in on his wife dressing. Her naked bottom is shown, but she covers herself up when she turns to face him. Later, Dickens and Nelly are shown having sex, but it's really only a shot of their faces and some subtle body movements and heavy breathing. A scene takes place in a London alleyway, where prostitutes are working. One offers "a shilling a blow."

Violence

After a main character has a miscarriage, there's a disturbing shot of the dead baby, covered in blood. He's wrapped up and carried away, but Dickens stops to take a clipping of the baby's hair. We experience a train crash from inside the train, and then we see the wreckage from outside. A main character is shown with blood on her forehead.

Language

Not applicable

Social Behavior

A famous author separates from his wife to take a younger lover, but he's unable to make his relationship public; he must lie about it. This seems like more of an issue of the times (the mid-19th century) than due to the relationship itself, so viewers may be left wondering what the big deal was.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Characters sometimes drink socially (champagne, etc.).