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Catch a Fire

(2006, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Tim Robbins, Derek Luke, Bonnie Henna)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Gritty apartheid drama pushes PG-13 limits.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 15 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Characters arrest and torture innocent people, break and enter, plant bombs, and are taught how to fight and use weapons. But characters also stand up for what's right -- at the risk of losing their lives and endangering their families.

  • Violence:

    Guns and shooting throughout; people are tortured and imprisoned; car crashes; bombs and explosions; imprisoned women at risk of being raped.

  • Sex:

    Romance between a husband and wife (and a scene of them together in bed), implied romance between a man and his mistress.

  • Language:

    "Damn," "hell," "f--k."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Catch a Fire

Parents need to know that this complicated tale of political terrorism is intense and worthwhile viewing -- but it must have just barely escaped getting an R rating. Scenes of peril include characters being arrested, imprisoned, tortured, blindfolded, held under water, and torn from their families. There are guns and fighting throughout, as well as acts of terrorism that involve explosions, breaking and entering, and bombs being planted. Innocent people fear for their lives, and many die.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the fact that "right" and "wrong" can often be very complicated concepts. People are sometimes forced to do things they don't want to do for the greater good of their community. Is it right for Chamusso to leave his family to go and fight for freedom, potentially putting all of their lives at risk? Is Nic Vos an evil person who tortures others, or is he doing what's needed to keep his family safe and preserve the government of his country? How did Chamusso's actions change the course of history in South Africa? How far should you go to stand up for what's right?
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