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Igby Goes Down

(2002, Rated R, Drama, Starring Kieran Culkin, Claire Danes, Susan Sarandon)

  • 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

    Dark, depressing story that's for adults only.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    This film is almost wholly lacking redeemable characters. Everyone lies, cheats, disappoints, and abuses substances. Care/concern for others is wholly linked to a greater concern for oneself.

  • Violence:

    Physical and mental abuse suffered by the main character at the hands of various sources (parents, brother, teachers, therapists), assisted suicide.

  • Sex:

    Extramarital affairs, teenage sex, some mild nudity.

  • Language:

    Much cursing by many of the characters, especially by the teenage hero.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The film includes pill popping, drinking, and pot smoking on the part of the main character, his friends, and his family. Substances are both the source and solution for problems. Characters show pride in wrapping the perfect joint. A main character suffers a heroin overdose, and the hero is paid to deliver drugs.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Igby Goes Down

Parents need to know that they should think twice about letting young teens watch this film. The hero suffers much emotional and physical abuse at the hands of authority figures. The film features teens and adults abusing alcohol, as well as illegal and prescription drugs. It also includes semi-graphic scenes of teenage sex and extramarital affairs. The characters use profane language freely. The film starts and ends with the assisted suicide of a character.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the parent-child relationship in their own family unit. How do you match up against Igby's parents? Does your child identify with Igby? They may also want to use this opportunity to talk to their kids about drugs and feelings of isolation.
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