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A Beautiful Mind

(2001, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Jennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe, Ed Harris)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Oscar-winning biopic is too intense for tweens.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Explores tolerance of individual differences and overcoming the stigma of mental illness.
  • Violence:

    Tense scenes, including a shoot-out, a child in peril, and domestic violence.
  • Sex:

    Includes some crude references.
  • Language:

    Some strong language.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Drinking
 

What Parents Need to Know

About A Beautiful Mind

Parents need to know the material might be very upsetting for kids, or for anyone who has relatives with mental illness or who knows very little about it. There are some strong scenes of family tension and peril, including a child in jeopardy, scuffles, and potential domestic abuse. There are graphic scenes of shock therapy and self-destructive behavior. A character is in peril involving shooting. There is also some crude language with sexual references.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about mental illness, about how people with mental illness need to be treated, and about what is different now in the way we treat the mentally ill from the days depicted in the movie. Families who want to know more should check the Web site for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 2.0

    Quite possibly the most dull and ordinary movie ever made.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Um it scared me..

    This movie really scared me...there is one bloody scene where he is searching for something in his arm and is cutting his own arm with a knife. I thought it was gross, and this movie is really sad too. But its good at the same time.

  4. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Beautiful.

    A fantastic film that every teenage prodigy needs to watch. I have never been a fan of Russel Crowe, but this film has made me change my mind. Now I like him. :] A beautiful mind, a beautiful film...

  5. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    amazing...

    I am more of a sword-action-historical movie...but this is one of those rare stories, like 'Radio' that I always will love. Just amazing, and Russel Crowe is stunning! Not for kids though, for teens yeah, but it would be too complicated for kids and the way his mind works... they might even get scared. But I love it, and want to buy it someday...

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Incredible, emotional, intense, and fascinating film. Good for some kids--but it may be confusing to some kids, and too intense and sad for others.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Arkansas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

  8. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 2.0

    Not worth an oscar

    I don't see what was so great about this one. The movie is hard to watch, confusing and leaves you disappointed and depressed. Why bother?

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    One of the best movies ever made!

    See this movie!!! If you don't, you are seriously missing out on one of the greatest pieces of art ever made. Some of the subject matter, such as sexual refernces, and the way the movie can mess with your mind when it comes to Nash's schizophrenia, is not app-roapriate for some children; for others, it might fly right over their head if they're young enough. All in all, however, this movie deserved all the awards it won, and more in my opinion. You would only be doing a disservice to yourself by not seeing it. PS: Russel Crowe should have won best actor for his performance

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Wonderful masterpiece!

    One of the best movies. Go see it!!!

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