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Jakob the Liar

(1999, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Alan Arkin, Robin Williams, Hannah Taylor-Gordon)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Anemic Holocaust tale may stir kids' interest.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Jakob lies repeatedly, but only to buoy hopes.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Beatings, shootings, torture, hung bodies, and psychological cruelty under Nazi regime.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Jakob the Liar

Parents need to know that kids will see hung bodies, beatings, shootings, torture, and psychological cruelty under the Nazi regime. The main character, Jakob lies repeatedly in an attempt to buoy hopes in a Jewish ghetto during World War II.

Read our full review by Kate Pavao

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about war and prejudice. Families may also want to discuss lying and the spreading of false hopes. Was it okay for Jakob to lie for good purposes? How can lies, even when meant to make people feel better, still harm?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    a failry complicated movie that only mature kids will understand

    This movie was pritty good. It has good leasons on how lies can do harm and bring peace. Some parts of it were slightly borin and complicated for me to understand. Younger kids won't understand the film and will be very desturbed by the images that they display in the movie. But still if your child is atleast 12 or 13 this a GREAT movie for them to watch.

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