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Three Men and a Baby

(1987, Rated PG, Comedy, Starring Ted Danson, Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Coasts on the charisma of its three stars.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–13

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The entire premise of the movie rests on the assumption that women are somehow natural parents while men must learn. The bachelors sleep around; the baby (abandoned by its mother) was the product of one such fling.
  • Violence:

    Some violence regarding a drug dealer is discussed but not seen, though it is implied that the heroes and baby are in danger.
  • Sex:

    The bachelors sleep around. The baby was the product of one such fling.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Subplot about heroin smuggling.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Three Men and a Baby

Parents need to know that, despite its light premise, this film is rife with adult material and themes. The movie opens with a montage of women arriving at and leaving the bachelor pad shared by the three main characters, with the clear implication that they're not there to deliver cookies. The bachelors sleep around. The baby (abandoned by its mother) was the product of one such fling. In relation to a heroin smuggling subplot, some violence regarding a drug dealer is discussed but not seen. It is implied that the heroes and baby are in danger. The entire premise of the movie rests on the assumption that women are somehow natural parents while men must learn.

Read our full review by M. Faust

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about this movie's premise. Do you think it is correct -- men must learn to parent and women are born knowing how? Did you question that assumption while watching the film? How do such assumptions and premises affect viewers' perceptions? Do you think this filmmaker meant to influence how viewers see parenting? Or was it simply a convenient plot device? Is it okay to use stereotypes or false assumptions to drive a movie's comedic action?

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