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Birds of America

(2008, Rated R, Comedy, Starring Hilary Swank, Matthew Perry, Lauren Graham)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Dark comedy has shining moments, adult themes.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 17 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Jay, Ida, and Morrie are all guilty of crossing publicly acceptable boundaries. Jay has "touched" (though not abused) a girl, Ida picks up guys and sleeps with them, Morrie relieves himself explicitly in the neighbor's yard. In the name of dark comedy, yes. But some might take offense.

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Ida has brief sex in a car with a hitchhiker, which is heard more than seen (skewed legs, pants pulled down and so on). Jay and his wife are naked in bed -- you can see their backsides. Jay briefly masturbates to a porno and is shown from above the shoulders, for about 30 seconds. Flash of porno shows breasts.

  • Language:

    The F-word is used by Betty when she is angry. Morrie talks about his bowel problems using the s-word. Plus a sprinkling of other expletives.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Ida and Morrie share cigarettes. The whole family smokes a joint in a bonding scene. They also share alcohol. Ida gets drunk and engages in risky behavior.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Birds of America

Parents need to know that themes of suicide, promiscuous sexual behavior, and drug use are tossed around rather casually in this straight-to-DVD dark comedy. One character has sex in the car with a hitchhiker and three siblings bond while smoking pot and drinking.

Read our full review by Joly Herman

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about holding on too tightly to rules versus hanging on very loosely. How has Morrie suffered by taking on too much responsibility? How have Ida and Jay suffered by blaming others? How do they reconcile their differences? What are their family boundaries like? What could they do better?
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