Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 15+
Mellower Tarantino still has sex, drugs, swearing, murder.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this crime drama has a quick, half-clad sex scene (only a bare bottom shown) and a handful of fatal shootings, though neither is as explicit as the colorful profanity in the script, which doesn't shy away from the N-word or "f--k." For what it's worth, the "good" characters do the least swearing, though in the crime environment here it's up for debate who is "good" at all. Two characters avidly smoke marijuana, and Jackie Brown unapologetically smokes cigarettes.
- Families can talk about the morality (or lack of it) among the characters. Who is the most admirable? Is anyone really a "good guy" here?
- Did the violence in this movie disturb you? Have you seen other Quentin Tarantino films with more violence? How does he use violence in a story? What would the story be like without it? And what would true life consequences of the violence seen in these movies be?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: The movie asks if two people can really love and trust each other amidst a heavy cops-and-robbers atmosphere of criminal deceit (and a half a million bucks up for grabs). Secondary idea of how far Jackie will go to save herself and assure her future.
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Positive role models: Potentially the most decent person is chivalrous bail bondsman Max, who ultimately seems to decide that romantic prospect Jackie is a little too sneaky for him. Strong, smart characters in this underworld milieu cut across gender and ethnic lines. Police, though not corrupt, are manipulative, bullying, and not the kind of people to confide in.
What to watch for
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Violence: Characters shot to death, in some cases with blood resulting, but the actual deed is either at a great distance or just offscreen. Automatic weapons fired at targets in a firearms-fan video.
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Sex: Two characters have standing up, partially clothed, spur-of-the-moment sex. One female bare-butt shot. Women in skimpy bikinis.
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Language: Frequent language, including "f--k," the N-word, "s--t," "t-tty," "ass," "damn," and "God" used as an exclamation.
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Consumerism: Chain-store names such as Banana Republic, Merle Norman, and Things Rememered on display in a shopping-mall setting. Plug for the R&B band The Delfonics. A soundtrack album exists, as does the Elmore Leonard source novel Rum Punch. Mention of car manufacturers -- and gun manufacturers. References to other movies, such as the Hong Kong action-shootout marathon The Killer.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Prodigious marijuana smoking via bong by less-than-admirable characters. Jackie smokes cigarettes (stating she'll gain weight if she quits). She is framed for cocaine possession.