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My Girl

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Coming of age tale tackles death; for older kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Child learns that life goes on after the death of loved ones.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A character dies offscreen from bee stings.
  • Sex:

    Obscure references to sex and the sexual revolution.
  • Language:

    The "s" word, "ass." One character calls her friend a "retard."
  • Consumerism:

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

    Reference to lighting a joint.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of My Girl was written by Elliot Panek

Parents need to know that death is the main theme of this movie. Vada's mother died while giving birth to her (this is never depicted; only alluded to). A main character dies tragically from bee stings (again, the death is off screen). This sudden, unexpected death is bound to have an emotional impact on impressionable viewers. Divorce is mentioned, and there are a few obtuse references to sex.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how to cope with the death of a loved one. Is it okay for Vada's father to remarry after his first wife died? How do we know when it is time to mourn or time to move on?
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More on My Girl

What’s the Story?

Darker than one might expect, MY GIRL is the story of Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky), a pre-teenage girl learning to deal with the death of her mother. Vada lives with her widower father (Dan Aykroyd), who runs a funeral parlor out of their home, and spends her days with her best friend, Thomas J (Macauly Culkin). When her father falls for his new assistant (Jamie Lee Curtis), Vada feels betrayed. In the end, a sudden tragedy brings her closer to her new stepmother, and she begins to understand how to move on after mourning the death of a loved one.

Is It Any Good?

Death and single parenthood are never easy topics to talk about with children, and this film deals with them in a mature, responsible way, encouraging kids to talk about their feelings regarding death -- as well as the romantic lives of their parents. If kids are beginning to ask questions about these serious topics, they are old enough to watch this movie with parents.

Movie Details

Studio: Sony Pictures, Director: Howard Zieff
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/27/1991, DVD release: 05/12/1998
MPAA Rating: PG for mild language and violence

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    I could watch this over and over:)

    If you don't like to cry don't watch this moive:) It is so sweet.

  2. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    a classic love story 12 and over

    very good love movie lots of good points about friendship i'll never forget my girl truth is why isay you should be 12 to see this movie is because its very sad at the end but worth watching

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    this movie is based on a song

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    khguygh

    it has some languge but it is mild

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    2 cool

    this movie was so cool. i cried every time i saw it. it was sensational, funny, and sad.it was so sad when tomas.j died. i cried my eyes out. i saw it last night and i still cried. i cant wait till i see it agin I LOVED IT!

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    A must-read book for every 8 year old

    i realy like the movie! it was very cute

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Mississippi
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    good stuff

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    its really good

    i watched it when i was like 3 up until now. its great. it has good morals and values and messages. parentse i highly suggest you show you child this fanominal movie

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    I absolutely love this movie!

    My Girl is one of my all-time favorite movies!! I love the whole plot line, but I cried for the last half hour of the movie. It's very funny, also. I would definitely recommend this to anyone above age nine.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    i cried soo hard and i never cry

    it was one of the all time old movies and it was very funny i laughed i cried i recommend it to all!!

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

  14. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Awesome Movie!

    An awesome movie! It is really sad though. Not for little kids. It has the lesson of everyone goes eventually and when they do all you can do is deal with it.

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    very touching to me, i love how it ties in with everyday tweens

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 5.0

    So sad!

    It is an awesome movie but it is not very good for people under the age of about 9. It is very sad and it might make them think that they are going to die from being around bees. But if you are older it is an awesome movie and you should watch it!

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 5.0

    This movie was originally rated PG-13

    A great movie for tweens and up. The heavy enotional material and some surprising, but vague sexual references make it inappropriate for anyone younger.

  18. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

    i loved it

    I love this movie so much.I like it because it has a message.Vada Had to face death as it is.

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