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Wonder Boys

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    This grand mess of a movie has many pleasures.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–17

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Gay characters presented matter-of-factly

  • Violence:

    Scenes with gun, dog attacks character, dog gets shot, car crash, threats

  • Sex:

    Extensive and fairly explicit references, including adultery, homosexuality

  • Language:

    Frequent

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Extensive, including drinking as a response to stress
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Wonder Boys

Parents need to know that this movie has drug and alcohol abuse, adultery, homosexual and heterosexual references (including a transvestite character), references to suicide, and very strong language.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what they think of Grady -- hero or fool? Where's the moral compass in this movie? Who do your kids feel empathy for and why? Do they think that Grady's troubles accurately reflect the pressures of adulthood?
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