An Officer and a Gentleman - R
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this film contains some brief nudity (female breasts and buttocks, male buttocks) and explicit sexual dialogue. The military training sequences involve homophobic and racial slurs as well as fistfights. Several of the female characters are depicted as trying to get soldiers to impregnate them. Characters drink heavily. In addition, one of the main characters commits suicide.
Families who watch this together could discuss the relationships that Zack has with his father and with Sgt. Foley. Who do you think he looked up to more? Is Zack treated fairly by Sgt. Foley? Families could talk about the depiction of female characters in the movie. How are Paula, Lynette, and Seeger portrayed differently? Why did Seeger have a hard time in the military? How is she different than both Paula and Lynette?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Hollis Griffin
AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN is, at its heart, a story about boys being boys as they try to become men. After his mother commits suicide, Zack Mayo (Richard Gere) is left to be raised by his drunken philandering soldier father. Unfortunately, Zach is treated more like a drinking buddy than a son. After college graduation, Zack follows in his father's footsteps by enlisting in the Navy's flight school. The majority of the film chronicles Zack's time in basic training -- the friends he meets, the battles he fights, the mistakes he makes, and the father figure he finds in Sgt. Foley (Louis Gossett Jr.).
Father-son relationships are at the heart of AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, be they in the form of an alcoholic parent or an intimidating drill sergeant. Herein lays the film's most problematic message -- that physical intimidation, psychological bullying, and outright degradation are okay in the frame of military service. In this equation, women are depicted very poorly. Paula and Lynette are painted as trashy, scheming girls on the make. They try to entice soldiers into sex, marriage, and commitment against their will. The vulgar language, sexual overtones, and predatory nature of these relationships make this film too intense for young viewers. At the same time, families who watch this together could discuss these behaviors -- and how they relate to both men and women in the military.
Families that enjoy the kitsch factor of AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN may want to check out Top Gun and Urban Cowboy.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentBrief nudity (male and female), much graphic dialogue related to sex. |
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ViolenceSuicide is a main storyline and there are several scenes depicting graphic fighting in the context of military training. |
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LanguageRacial and ethnic slurs, homophobic comments, a whole lot of cursing. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoA lot of drinking, but there is discussion of consequences. |
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