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Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

(1983, Rated R, Comedy, Starring John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Edgy Python schtick better for older viewers.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Various comic characters, none with many redeeming social values, but who aren't supposed to be taken seriously.
  • Violence:

    Slapstick but with some gore when a man cuts a liver out of a person, a man explodes after eating too much.
  • Sex:

    Animated nudity, frank, thorough and detailed discussions of male and female genitals and sexual activity, a teacher has sex with his wife in front of his students as a part of sex education, female topless nudity.
  • Language:

    Sporadic cursing
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Parents need to know that this movie is decidedly more mature (if one can use that word with this hilarious crew) than other Python offerings as it tackles death, sex, religion, war, and more all with the expected heavy doses of satire and sarcasm. Monty Python is well known for its lampoons of religion and this movie has a song called "Every Sperm is Sacred." It pokes fun at the Catholic religion. The violence is all rather cartoonish, though at times can be gory. Blood spurts everywhere during one scene as people try to take his liver while he's alive. There is sexual innuendo and there are sexual jokes.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why we use humor to address the big issues of life. Also, how can people tell when they are being spoofed versus being insulted?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title off for age 14 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    PRETTY FUNNY

    It's okay. Not really for younger kids. When my kid was 5, I thought it would be okay for him. Within the first half hour I turned it off. Don't try watching it with a younger child

  2. I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title off for age 16 and give it 3.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title off for age 16 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Either you like it or you hate it. I hate british humor.

    I agree with islandgal. It could've gotten an NC-17 rating. I loved it when I was 7, but I watched it this year, I didn't like it.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    "Have You Ever Wondered What Life's All About?"

    Monty Python Give You There View Of The Meaning Of Life... Which Means Normal Bloody Violence, Some Cursing And Loads Of Sex Scenes... Plus Some Very Funny Bits To! Overall This Film Is NOT, I Repeat, NOT Suitable For A Child Under The Age Of 18 At All!!!!

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    If you know Monty Python at all, this is exactly what you would expect from them. It's social satire at its most cutting.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Odd for you americans

    Meaning of Life is a hilarious movie. Sex si really just parodied(one scene with naked girls killing a man, and one scene making fun of topless dance numbers not even real breasts. The scene with the teacher isn't that innopropriate). Kids may not enjoy it since it has thinking british dark humor. If your kid is mature for his age and likes briish humor It's a good film. If they don't understand british films they might not get it.

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Uneven film

    Though I recommend anything related to Monty Python (including this movie) it's a fairly uneven film. Some sketches are absolutely hilarious and you can see the team at the top of their game (Every Sperm is Sacred, Fighting Each Other, Rugby Match, Live Organ Transplants, etc.). Some sketches are middling (Sex Ed Class, Zulu Wars, Grim Reaper, etc.). And some sketcehs just aren't funny at all (Find The Fish, Philosophy Dinner Conversation, the odd "people dressed as tigers" scene). And I'm not a big fan of the gross Mr. Creosote scene either. It seems like in this film they were just trying to satirize everything but lost part of the sillliness that makes Python so funny. As far as content goes, there is some topless nudity, lots of discussion about sex, and some other questionable material. But for 14 and up, I think it's fine.

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 5.0

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

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

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 5.0

    don't let your children see this!!!!

    this is the most disgusting movie i have ever seen very explicate in the sexual catagory. i think it should be nc17. i don't have to write much i just have to say...... DON'T LET YOUR KIDS SEE IT!!!!

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Maine
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    hilarious.

    this is one of the best monty python movie, with the possible exceptoin of the holy grail, ever made. there isn't really anything bad in this at all, though there is some sexual humor, and a li8ttle slapstick violence, but nothing to be worried about.

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