Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 12+
Sassy screwball classic with a feminist twist.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that while there's no sex or bad language in this film, you do see a character jump out the window to her death and many characters pull guns on one another. There's also a considerable amount of underhanded behavior. For instance, Walter has Bruce arrested twice, gives him counterfeit money, and plans to rig the election with biased reporting.
- Families can talk about the choices Hildy had to make: Either be a "normal person" and have a family or be a "newspaperman" and have a career. How has it changed today and how is it still similar?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: A lot of underhanded behavior, including lying, passing counterfeit money, stealing, gambling, bribery, and conniving. There's also considerable sexism: When a woman walks into the newsroom, one of the reporters says, "Take off your shirt." On the plus side, Hildy is a strong female role model, showing tenacity, brains, and compassion.
What to watch for
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Violence: A surprising amount of violence, including a woman jumping from a window. We see her face-down on the pavement below. Gunshots are aimed at a press room. Many characters aim guns at one another. Characters threaten to hurt one another, saying things like "I'm going to kick you in the teeth."
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Sex: Some gazing into eyes, but that's it.
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Language: Not an issue
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Everyone smokes cigarettes and Hildy and Walter take their coffee with rum.