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The Right Stuff

(1983, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid, Sam Shepard)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Educational, exciting action, great acting.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The movie does a thorough job of depicting the pressures affecting the first astronauts' wives, but it's clear that the women are expected to maintain the household while their husbands make history. One character laughs at a comic routine involving a Hispanic astronaut. Although all the men are married, some show interest in other women.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    A fair bit of relatively minor cussing.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Right Stuff

Parents need to know that this movie -- which was previously rated R in 1983 and was later re-rated -- is very long and some of the astronauts' conduct, including locker room-type banter, may be unsuitable for younger kids. For older kids, the movie offers a human perspective on what is arguably America's greatest technological feat -- space flight. It also addresses themes of loyalty and the value of cooperation through a gripping story and spectacular visuals that have aged well. Peppered with laughs, it also features an Academy Award-winning score.

Read our full review by Randy White

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the competitiveness of the astronaut program and how the families coped. How would you deal with such dangerous work? Discuss the way that Yaeger was shut out of the program. Why are college degrees so important? Is it possible to be successful without one? What about how Gus was treated after his capsule sank in the ocean? Do you believe that it was an accident? Families can also discuss how the media portrays space exploration in general. Is it always exciting?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Should really be PG-13 for cursing. Maybe even R.

    I agree with thepedens--language is far worse than "mild" as the Common Sense Review termed it. I watched this movie with my two 10-year-olds, chose it after reading the review and then sat praying they would not get some of the language. The language is NOT OK for 10, or even 11. This should be at least PG-13. There was also a scene where Gordy had to give a sperm donation. While they didn't show anything, I fast-forwarded, as I really, really didn't feel like explaining what THAT meant.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Terrific movie, but...

    There's an awful lot of language in this movie that I was hoping to watch with my entire family. There were lots of f bombs, plenty of s---, bast----, hell and godd---.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Long telling of compelling subject

    Breaking the sound barrier and the Mercury Seven astronauts are a very interesting story, but this is a long and sometimes inscrutable movie. The language is harsh for a PG movie (F-words are sprinkled throughout) and there is a Sally Rand dancing scene that makes no sense and introduces quick shots of a bare behind and breasts. Not lewd, but out of step with the rest of the movie.

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

    This movie should be rated R still

    This is a great movie but the amount of language is way too strong for PG. I saw it at school and we had to skip some parts because of all of the language and stuff

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