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Bad Education

(2004, Rated NC-17, Drama, Starring Gael García Bernal, Javier Camara, Fele Martinez)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Tragic story of church's betrayal; adults only.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    This movie is filled with bad people. Main characters abuse drugs and each other. Characters with whom we are supposed to identify lie, murder, and blackmail. As few really end up being happy, the film does not seem to highly promote this type of behavior. No one really benefits from bad behavior.

  • Violence:

    Murderous neck breaking.

  • Sex:

    Faux nudity through the design of a drag queen's beaded dress, partial male nudity, relatively graphic gay sex, suggestions of child molestation.

  • Language:

    Sexually vulgar language.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink until incapacitated and snort and shoot illegal drugs (but suffer the consequences). A main character overdoses on heroin.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Bad Education

Parents need to know that this is a dark and tawdry film. Main characters are junkies, pedophiles, and murderers. The film deals with molestation within the Catholic Church, and all in all presents the church in a negative light. Parents should also be note that the film centers around the life of a molested boy turned junkie transsexual. It includes scenes of graphic gay sex and vulgar language. It's not appropriate for anyone under 17. (Note: This film is in Spanish with English subtitles.)

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about issues such as the pressures of small town living, the torture of keeping secrets, honesty, and tolerance. The bad behavior of the film's characters can produce much conversation. The film can also spark conversations about art. How can art -- writing or filmmaking -- function therapeutically? Also, how would this story have been different if set in the United States?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lego Man
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    Bad Movie

    SO BAD!!!!!!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    ac7193
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    GREAT MOVIE!, for ADULTS ONLY!

    Now Im 13, I now. But my maturity lvl is out of this world. I've seen everything, mostly everyone other kid, teen hasn't. So teens have to wait till 16 to watch it. I mean it is NC-17. It has an awesome plot! It was ok.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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