Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+
Edgy, teen-friendly musical comedy uplifts with song, heart.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Pitch Perfect -- a winning musical comedy about a fiercely independent college student -- will give teens (and adults) plenty to like. Expect some strong language ("s--t," "bitch," "d--k," and one use of "f--k"), drug references, and underage drinking (though it's not heavily emphasized). There's also some kissing and lots of sexual innuendo and some sexual discussion, plus several jokes about a lesbian character's attraction to other women in the group. Although the young women portrayed here are, for the most part, strong and confident, sometimes a shaming word, "slut," is used to refer to them.
- Families can talk about why Beca seems so jaded when she first steps on campus. Is her position -- that she doesn't need to be in college to pursue her dream -- defensible?
- Fat Amy calls herself "fat" as a way to get ahead of any possible bullying and because she's proud of herself just the way she is. What do you think of this approach? (Also, talk to your kids about bullying and how to handle it if it happens.)
- Are college campuses really rife with this much competition among student groups? Are a cappella groups this cutthroat? What's the realistic take on this?
The good stuff
-
Positive messages: Find your passion, and don't be afraid to take risks. Also: Open your heart to love, and it might find you. Joining groups may require you to overcome your skepticism and fears, but it may also lead you to even greater happiness.
-
Positive role models: Beca's individualistic streak extends to the rest of the Bellas in a positive way, though it does take them a while to learn how to be supportive of one another. Lots of emphasis on teamwork and how sometimes in the pursuit of the good of the team, a member has to be flexible and unselfish. Many jokes at the expense of the overweight, but the main overweight character also embraces her appearance to try to defuse bullying before it starts.
What to watch for
-
Violence: A melee breaks out -- though viewers don't really see any of the blows -- and a window winds up shattered. A sprinkling of verbal skirmishes, with name-calling.
-
Sexy stuff: Some kissing, plus plenty of sexual innuendoes about a few of the characters' sex lives. Some suggestive dancing during musical numbers. A couple's feet are shown sharing one shower, suggesting they're in the middle of intimate alone time. Characters use the word "slut" to refer to women who have non-serious sex partners.
-
Language: "Bitch" is frequent and casual (and "pitch," which sounds like it, is used as a stand-in). Also one "f--k," "s--t," "t--s," "slutbags," "ass," "crap," "hell," "d--k," and "Jesus" (as an exclamation).
-
Consumerism: With so many Apple products everywhere, it might as well be an ad. Also: Ping, Mad Libs.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some scenes at college parties show freshmen drinking beer (and whatever else) from tell-tale red cups. Drug references.